Read, also, his two tractates, _Censure of Gaius_[563] and _Censure
of Flaccus_,[564] in which, more than in his other writings, he shows
vigour of expression and beauty of language. But he frequently errs
by changing his ideas and in describing other things in a manner
at variance with Jewish philosophy. He flourished in the times of
the emperor Gaius, to whom he states that he sent a deputation on
behalf of his own people, while Agrippa was king of Judaea. He was
the author of numerous treatises on various subjects, ethical
discussions, and commentaries on the Old Testament, mostly consisting
of forced allegorical explanations. I believe that it was from him
that all the allegorical interpretation of Scripture originated in
the Church. It is said that he was converted to Christianity, but
afterwards abandoned it in a fit of anger and indignation. Before
this, during the reign of the emperor Claudius, he had visited Rome,
where he met St. Peter, chief of the apostles, and became intimate
with him, which explains why he thought the disciples of St. Mark the
evangelist, who was a disciple of St. Peter, worthy of praise, of
whom he says that they led a contemplative life amongst the Jews. He
calls their dwellings monasteries, and declares that they always led
an ascetic life, practising fasting, prayer, and poverty.
Philo came of an Alexandrian priestly family. He was so admired
amongst the Greeks for his power of eloquence that it was a common
saying amongst them: “Either Plato philonizes or Philo platonizes.”