Philo*8 platonism comes out most strongly in his doctrine
concerning souls; angels, demons, and souls are only different
names for one and the same being. They are cotmtless as the
stars ; their abode is the air, which, as being the best of earthly
substances, is also provided with the most perfect organisation
of living beings.^ Some of these souls descend here below and
unite themselves to mortal frames, being smitten with desire for
the earth and for bodies. Many of these are carried away here
by the whirlpool of sensuality, and are swallowed up in it; while
others, who by striving after higher knowledge strongly enough
to resist the pressure, aim from first to last to die to their
earthly being, in order to gain the higher life.^ These return
after death to the heavenly dwelling-place, all the more certainly

» De Somn. i. 699. » De Profug. 466. • AUeg. iii. 1096.
* De Temul 244. • De Somn. i. p. &85. > De Gigant. 284, 285.
406 PHILO.
as some of them, the souk of the wise, only undertook their
wanderings on earth oat of thirst for knowledge.^ The TicioiiSy
Philo represents as perishing with the dissolution of their hodies.
