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The Essenes were pious Jewish ascetics who lived in communities in Palestine from the second century B.C. to the second century A.D., and may have been influential with key individuals such as [[John the Baptist]].  According to the historian Josephus (A.D. 27 - c. 100), the Essenes totaled about 4,000 late in the first century.  Neither the Bible nor the Talmud mentions the Essenes, but in addition to Josephus, the historians Philo (20 B.C. - c. A.D. 40) and the elder Pliny (A.D. 23-79) confirm their existence.

The '''Essenes''' were pious [[Jew]]ish ascetics who lived in communities in [[Palestine]] from the second century B.C. to the second century A.D., and may have been influential with key individuals such as [[John the Baptist]].  According to the historian [[Josephus]] (A.D. 27 - c. 100), the Essenes totaled about 4,000 late in the first century.  Neither the [[Bible]] nor the Talmud mentions the Essenes, but in addition to Josephus, the historians Philo (20 B.C. - c. A.D. 40) and the elder Pliny (A.D. 23-79) confirm their existence.

The Essenes were celibates who adopted young children to maintain their numbers  They believed in immortality and enforced a caste system in their rigorous community life.

The Essenes were celibates who adopted young children to maintain their numbers  They believed in immortality and enforced a caste system in their rigorous community life.