Abstract

SZNOL, Shifra. The authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their historial and social frame. Soc. relig. [online]. 2011, vol.21, n.34-35. ISSN 1853-7081.

The last centuries before the Common Era, and the first century of the Common Era, were characterized by the rise of intense religious sects and political movements in Judea, under the Roman rule. Among these movements, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls, often identified with the Essenes, fulfilled a special role. The present article deals with the following questions: How suitable is the definition of 'sect' for the Essenes, in light of current sociologic thought; and how extensive is the influence of the Greek-Hellenistic culture on the political and religious movements which arose in Judea. Special attention will be given to the Hellenistic utopias, the Pythagorean schools, and social movements in the Greek-Roman countries. All of them have left their mark on the Essene ideology and its literature, namely the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Keywords : Dead Sea Scrolls; Hairesis; Essenes; Josephus Flavius; Utopia.

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