Hellenistic Egypt

250px|thumb|Lake Mariout today The Therapeutae were a Jewish religious sect which existed in Alexandria and other parts of the ancient Greek world. The primary source concerning the Therapeutae is the De vita contemplativa ("The Contemplative Life"), traditionally ascribed to the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BCE – 50 CE). The author appears to have been personally acquainted with them. The author describes the Therapeutae as "philosophers" (cf. I.2) and mentions a group that lived on a low hill by Lake Mariout close to Alexandria in circumstances resembling lavrite life (cf. I

nomarch of Egypt under Macedonian rule