The Essenes were a Jewish community who lived in the desert near the western shores of the Dead Sea and in the towns of Judaea.

Where did the Essenes come from?

Essene, member of a religious sect or brotherhood that flourished in Palestine from about the 2nd century bc to the end of the 1st century ad.

What happened to the Essenes?

They seem to have been active in Judea until the Romans sacked Jerusalem in 69 CE, but some historical sources indicate that they were warned of the coming invasion and hid their manuscripts in the desert, possibly escaping as a group. Some of the Essenes may have have been dispersed as far as Egypt.