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.

• For the Bibliography; see Philo Studies

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 4:30-7:30pm / 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 Iosepho
• De Vita Mosis I-II

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

De specialibus legibus and De Decalogo

• Oct 24 -- SpecLeg: Book 1 -- Prologue; I, and II commandments
  • Read also Dec 1-49, 50-65, 66-81

• Oct 31 -- Spec Leg: Book 2 -- III, IV, and V commandments
  • Read also Dec 82-95, 96-105, 106-120

• Nov 7 -- SpecLeg: Book 3 -- VI, and VII commandments
  • Read also Dec 121-131, 132-134

• Nov 14 -- SpecLeg: Book 4 -- VIII, IX, and X commandments; Epilogue
  • Read also Dec 135-137, 138-141, 142-153; 154-175

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

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