... and appointed without distinction. They are not just in one town only, but in every town several of them form a colony. they welcome members from out of town as co-equal brothers and even though perfect strangers, as though they were intimate friends. For this reason they carry ... is a matter of great veneration to them; if anyone blasphemed the name of the lawgiver he was sentenced to death. Those members convicted of grave faults are expelled from the order. In matters of judgment the Essenes leaders are very exact and impartial. (Josephus, 1958) Philo's accounts of the Essenes The ....

• Word Count: 5563
• Approx Pages: 22
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School