Philo and Josephus are remarkably similar in content in their description
of the Essenes / Therapeutae. See for instance G. Vermes,
"Essenes-Therapeutae-Qumran," Durham University Journal 59 (1960) 97-115 or
his book on the Essenes in classical sources. B. Wacholder, Nicolaus of
Damascus (Berkeley-Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1962) 71-72
argues that both Philo and Josephus accounts were based on Nicolaus.
He points out that Philo compares the communal, moneyless life of the
Therapeutae with the Iliad's idealized description of the Galactophagi, a
Scythian tribe. Philo's interpretation, which diverges from a straight
reading of Homer, is shared by Nicolaus in the entry on the Galactophagi in
his _Collection of Remarkable Customs_.
Josephus' description of the Dacian Ctistae, another Scythian tribe whom
he compares with the Essenes, likewise sound like the Galactophagi described
in Nicolaus. Wacholder believes Josephus draws on Nicolaus about the Ctistae
compared to the Essenes. (Nicolas in turn appears to draw on a passage of
Posidonius discussing Homeric problems - also quoted at Strabo 7.3.3 - that
mentions the Galactophagi, Ctistae and others. Unlike Nicolaus, Posidonius
had no knowledge of the Essenes, as discussed extensively in Orion archives.)
Philo also characterizes the Essenes as "favored by kings" which appears
to refer to their being patronized by Herod the Great. This fact could be
learned from Nicolaus' writings. Nicolaus', as Herod's propagandist, also
promoted the Herod's favored sect, the Essenes. It should not be surprising
that literary accounts of the Essenes largely trace back to Nicolaus of
Damascus.
Best regards,
Russell Gmirkin
> I never thought Philo lifted stuff from nick of damascus or any one. What
> evidence do we have he did such things. Philo sounds like philo
> throughout. Is this a guess, wishful thinking, or solid fact?
>
>
> Herb basser,
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