Dio Chrysostom, Synesius, and Julius Solinus

Abstract

Dio Chrysostom wrote about the Essenes in a lost work, Getica. This is known only from one small comment in the work of Synesius. However, it is very important in that it is an independent source on the Essenes being situated next to the Dead Sea, close to the traditional site of Sodom. Unlike Pliny, Dio uses the Essenes as an example of philosophical excellence. Dio’s Getica was known to sources used by Julius Solinus, who adds to his main source Pliny some additional information indicating that the Essenes were a group to be admired.