Abstract

In his treatise De vita contemplativa, Philo tell us about the Therapeutae, a philosophic sect located in the outskirts of Alexandria, in a pleasant site near Lake Mareotis. Although the Jewish philosopher is not very explicit about the concrete details of its daily life, he does provide us with information on some aspects of it, like the clothing used by the Therapeutae, the ἐσθὴς, which, though being very elementary, can help us to understand the secluded and contemplative style of life of this Ascetic Hebrew Congregation.