PREFACE

I. REGARDING THE INDEX OF NAMES

I have set out in this index not only to arrange all the proper names of both people and places mentioned by Philo in alphabetical order, but also to collect and list by name those passages and opinions that Philo appears to have taken from the writings of poets, orators, historians, and philosophers, while omitting the names of the authors. When I undertook this task, I truly understood how difficult it was. For Philo differs greatly from most writers of antiquity in his method of naming. Indeed, he presents names drawn from the books of the Old Testament with meanings that are sometimes allegorical and sometimes literal. Therefore, I have compiled the allegorical interpretations of each name separately and, in the index, have added the abbreviation All. allegorical interpretation to these entries collected in one place. It also frequently happens that Philo discusses the name of a person or a thing, which is found in those passages he transcribed word-for-word from the Septuagint. Since it seemed necessary to me that these names also be collected, I have included all of them in the index with the note LXX Septuagint added. Philo usually hides the names of the Greek authors from whose writings he either draws opinions and arguments or quotes the author's own words; for this reason, it is sometimes difficult to recognize to which author he owes the opinions so copiously and abundantly inserted in his own words. Furthermore, he very often distorts, mutilates, and adapts the doctrines of philosophers for his own use, and mixes his own words with those of others in such a way that it can hardly be determined whether the words or arguments should be attributed to Philo or to another author. Editors have attempted to clarify all this and return individual items to individual authors in those booklets inscribed "That Every Good Person is Free" original: "Quod omnis probus liber" and "On the Eternity of the World" original: "De aeternitate mundi"; in the others, they have noted much, but also omitted much. I have considered it my duty to supply everything neglected by the editors and to include it in the index of names. I confess, however, that I have not been able to satisfy this duty in every respect. But I trust that I will be granted forgiveness for this imperfect work by all those most learned men who have treated Philo's writings and...