Pseudo-Philo

Pseudo-Philo is the designation given to the anonymous author of the Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, also known as the Biblical Antiquities. This individual's true identity remains unknown, and their work is preserved solely through Latin translations found in various manuscripts dating from the 11th to the 15th centuries CE. The original text was likely written in Hebrew, but it has not survived in its original form. Instead, 18 complete and 3 fragmentary Latin manuscripts have been discovered, providing valuable insights into the author's historical account.

The author's work, the Biblical Antiquities, has been distinguished from the authentic writings of Philo of Alexandria due to its distinct approach to and interpretation of Jewish scriptures. Scholars have long recognized the pseudonymous nature of the text, and it has been conveniently attributed to "Pseudo-Philo" following the lead of Leopold Cohn. The Biblical Antiquities has also been linked to the 14th-century Hebrew composition, the Chronicles of Jerahmeel, which contains parallel material. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the author's identity, their work continues to be studied and recognized as a significant historical text, with the Latin translation remaining the primary source for understanding their contribution to the field of history.