Page "Essenes" Paragraph 7

The accounts by Josephus and Philo show that the Essenes led a strictly communal lifeoften compared by scholars to later Christian monastic living.

Many of the Essene groups appear to have been celibate, but Josephus speaks also of another " order of Essenes " that observed the practice of being engaged for three years and then becoming married.

According to Josephus, they had customs and observances such as: collective ownership, electing a leader to attend to the interests of the group, obedience to the orders from their leader.

Also, they were forbidden from swearing oaths and from sacrificing animals.

They controlled their tempers and served as channels of peace, carrying weapons only for protection against robbers.

The Essenes chose not to possess slaves, but served each other and, as a result of communal ownership, did not engage in trading.

Both Josephus and Philo provide lengthy accounts of their communal meetings, meals and religious celebrations.