One of the four principal Jewish sects of the first century c.e. as described by Josephus. Their viewpoint on the nature of Israel as a religious community and on obedience to the Torah was strongly influenced by their economic and social interests. They were composed mainly of wealthy priestly and aristocratic families of considerable prestige and political influence. They claimed to be loyal to the Torah alone—the Torah as written, not in its oral enlargement. See the description of rival Jewish groups under Rabbis of antiquity.