The Works of Philo of Alexandria, “On the Embassy to Gaius: The First Part of the Treatise on Virtues” (De Virtutibus Prima Pars, Quod Est De Legatione Ad Gaium)

A Series of Articles Summarising the Tractates of Philo of Alexandria

Dr Nick Stafford
3 min readApr 17, 2024

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Introduction

Philo of Alexandria’s work “On the Embassy to Gaius: The First Part of the Treatise on Virtues” (De Virtutibus Prima Pars, Quod Est De Legatione Ad Gaium), commonly known as “The Embassy to Gaius” or “Legatio ad Gaium,” details Philo’s embassage to the Roman Emperor Caligula, also known as Gaius.

The tractate serves as both a historical account and a philosophical commentary on the events that occurred during this tumultuous period, particularly focusing on the conflict between the Jewish community in Alexandria and the Roman administration.

Philo’s narrative is not only a diplomatic report but also an exposition of the virtues and vices embodied by the key figures involved, including Caligula's despotic tendencies.

This article is one of a series on the works of Philo of Alexandria, all of which are listed in the below Medium.com list:

Philo of Alexandria: Jewish Philosophers

45 stories

This article is one of a series on the works of Philo of Alexandria, all of which are listed in the below Medium.com list:

Hidden Spiritual Language in Bible Stories

28 stories

Overview and Structure

The work is structured as a detailed narrative of Philo’s mission to Rome. Philo represented the Jewish community of Alexandria, which was facing severe persecution and civil strife, exacerbated by the anti-Semitic policies of the Roman prefect Flaccus and later by Caligula himself.

The narrative is interspersed with philosophical reflections on the nature of leadership, the responsibilities of rulers, and the moral and ethical implications of their actions.

Themes and Content

Background of the Embassy

Philo begins by outlining the circumstances that led to the embassy, detailing the increasing tensions in Alexandria, where Jews were subjected to violence and discrimination. The immediate cause was Caligula’s insistence on being worshipped as a living god, including placing his statues in synagogues, which the Jews resisted as it was against their monotheistic beliefs.

Journey and Purpose

The narrative includes a description of the journey to Rome and the objectives of the embassy, which were to petition Caligula to rescind his orders regarding placing his statues in Jewish places of worship and to restore peace and legal protections to the Jewish community in Alexandria.

Philosophical Discourse on Leadership

Throughout the narrative, Philo discusses the qualities of a good ruler, contrasting them with Caligula’s actions. He portrays Caligula’s demand for divine honours as the epitome of hubris and a violation of both Roman and natural virtues.

Encounters with Caligula

Philo vividly describes his and his colleagues’ interactions with Emperor Caligula, depicting the emperor’s erratic behaviour and cruelty. These encounters serve to highlight the moral and ethical degradation that Philo perceived in Caligula’s rule.

Defence of Jewish Customs

In his arguments to Caligula and in the treatise itself, Philo defends Jewish religious customs and laws, presenting them as rational and ethically sound, in contrast to the arbitrary and capricious nature of the decrees issued by Caligula.

Reflections on Virtue and Vice

Philo reflects on the broader implications of the virtues of wisdom, justice, and piety, discussing how their absence in leadership leads to tyranny and suffering. He uses the situation as a moral lesson on the dangers of absolute power and the necessity of virtue in governance.

Conclusion

“On the Embassy to Gaius” serves multiple functions: a historical document, a philosophical treatise, and a poignant critique of Roman imperial power.

Philo uses the events of his time to illustrate larger truths about human nature, leadership, and the conflict between divine law and human arrogance.

The work is a testament to Philo’s skill as a philosopher, historian, and diplomat, offering deep insights into the ethical challenges of navigating power and religious identity in a cosmopolitan and often hostile world.

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Dr Nick Stafford

Healthcare writer, philosophy and spirituality. Psychiatrist, photographer, author, journalist.