Philo of Alexandria (2012 Boccaccini), graduate course

Philo of Alexandria is a graduate course offered by Gabriele Boccaccini at the University of Michigan in the Fall 2012.

Overview

The course deals with the figure and thought of Philo of Alexandria, one of the most distinguished leaders of the Jewish community in Egypt, a well respected neo-Platonic philosopher, and a skillful politician in the Roman Empire

Syllabus

Wednesdays 5:00-8:00pm / 4000 Thayer

Sep 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct 3 (10) 17, 24, 31 Nov 7, 14, 28 Dec 5, 12

Introduction (Sep 5 & 12)

(a) Philo's metaphysics (5 weeks; Sep 19 & 26; Oct 3, 10, 17).

De Opificio Mundi, De Abrahamo, De Josepho, De Vita Mosis

(b) Philo's halakha (4 weeks; Oct 24 & 31; Nov 7 & 14):

De decalogo and De specialibus legibus

(c) Philo's politics (2 weeks, Nov 28 & Dec 5):

In Flaccum and Legatio ad Gaium (see also Against Apion)