Philo of Alexandria's exposition of the Tenth Commandment

"In his comprehensive exposition of the Tenth Commandment (Spec. 4.79{u2013}131), Philo considers the prohibition 'You shall not desire': what sort of desire it prohibits (and why) and how the Mosaic dietary laws collectively enforce that prohibition. This volume offers the first complete study of Philo{u2019}s exposition, beginning with an overview of its content, context, and place in previous research. In-depth studies of Philo{u2019}s concept of desire and his concept of self-control provide background and demonstrate Philo{u2019}s fundamental agreement with contemporary Middle-Platonic moral psychology, especially in his theory of emotion (pathos). A new translation of the exposition, with commentary, offers a definitive explanation of Philo{u2019}s view of the Tenth Commandment, including precisely the sort of excessive desire it targets and how the dietary laws work as practical exercises for training the soul in self-control." -- Publisher's description.