The Apologists · AD 130–180
Valentinus
c. 100 – c. 175 · Gnostic theologian · Once a candidate for the see of Rome · Founder of the Valentinian school · Alexandria → Rome
The Apologists
Who Valentinus was
The most brilliant and the most nearly-orthodox of the Gnostics — an Alexandrian of Greek education who taught at Rome from about 136 to 165 and, Tertullian sneers, had expected to become a bishop. His elaborate myth of the divine Fullness (Pleroma), the fall of Wisdom (Sophia), and the redemption of the spiritual seed gave the second century its most sophisticated rival theology, propagated by gifted pupils (Ptolemy, Heracleon, Theodotus). Because his followers claimed a secret apostolic tradition, the great refutations of Irenaeus and Tertullian are aimed above all at him — and the church’s doctrines of one God, one Christ truly incarnate, and public (not secret) tradition were sharpened against the Valentinian system.
Also listed in heretics & schismatics.
Common questions
When did Valentinus live?
Valentinus is dated c. 100 – c. 175 in the archive, which places Valentinus in the Apologists (AD 130–180). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
What did Valentinus write?
Valentinus has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: Fragments and the psalm 'Harvest'.
Which early sources mention Valentinus?
Valentinus is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Irenaeus of Lyon, Tertullian of Carthage, Eusebius of Caesarea and Augustine of Hippo. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Valentinus from?
The archive associates Valentinus with Alexandria, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (1)
Fragments and the psalm 'Harvest'
Homily and letter fragments via Clement and Hippolytus; the Nag Hammadi Gospel of Truth is a disputed modern attributionFrom the beginning ye are immortal, and children of eternal life.Read the interlinear source text →
Primary-source mentions (4)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Against Heresies, Preface & I.11
c. AD 180Valentinus adapted the fundamental principles of the so-called Gnostic school to his own kind of system… These men falsify the oracles of God, and prove themselves evil interpreters of the good word of revelation.Irenaeus of Lyon · I.11 · source text
Prescription against Heretics 30 (dated to 'not so long ago')
c. AD 200Where was Marcion then, that shipmaster of Pontus, the zealous student of Stoicism? Where was Valentinus then, the disciple of Platonism? For it is evident that those men lived not so long ago.Tertullian of Carthage · Prescription 30 · source text
Ecclesiastical History IV.11 (Rome under Hyginus, Pius, Anicetus)
c. AD 325Valentinus came to Rome in the time of Hyginus, flourished under Pius, and remained until Anicetus.Eusebius of Caesarea · Ecclesiastical History IV.11 · source text
On Heresies 11
c. AD 428Connected in the archive
People
- Basilides of Alexandria
- Ptolemy the Valentinian
- Irenaeus of Lyon
- Tertullian of Carthage
- Carpocrates of Alexandria
- Hyginus of Rome
- Heracleon
- Marcus the Magician
- Florinus of Rome
- Bardaisan of Edessa
Events in this lifetime
- AD 112 · Pliny writes Trajan, AD 112
- AD 117 · Symeon and Ignatius martyred, AD 117
- AD 135 · Bar Kokhba crushed; Aelia Capitolina, AD 135
- AD 144 · Marcion expelled at Rome, AD 144
- AD 156 · The New Prophecy erupts, AD 156
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Valentinus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.