Communal Essene Life

• a strictly celibate but communal life although one class of Essenes was allowed to marry

• collective ownership

• led by a man called the “Teacher of Righteousness”

• were forbidden from swearing oaths

• controlled their temper and served as peacemakers

• carried weapons only as protection against robbers

• had no slaves but served each other

• as a result of communal ownership, did not engage in trading