Philo lived and wrote as a Jew in the centre of Hellenistic culture of his time, namely in Alexandria. His works give extensive insights into the synthesis of Hellenistic and Jewish thoughts in the 1st century.The treatise entitled "Every good man is free" deals with the old philosophical question, how true freedom can be achieved and what it means to be free. According to the Stoic opinion only the "wise" man is free. Philo's treatise is not only of historical interest, but may give impulses to modern readers engaged in religious and philosophical questions.Reinhard von Bendemann provides an introduction and a new translation.

Dr. Reinhard von Bendemann ist Professor für Neues Testament und Judentumskunde an der Evang.-Theol. Fakultät der Ruhr-Universität Bochum.