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Alexander of Lycopolis

Alexander of Lycopolis

Alexander of Lycopolis (unknown - 448)

The writer of a short treatise, in twenty-six chapters, against the Manichæans (P.G., XVIII, 409-448). He must have flourished early in the fourth century, as he says in the second chapter of this work that he derived his knowledge of Manes' teaching apo ton gnorimon (from the man's friend).

Despite its brevity and occasional obscurity, the work is valuable as a specimen of Greek analytical genius in the service of Christian theology, "a calm but vigorous protest of the trained scientific intellect against the vague dogmatism of the Oriental theosophies". It has been questioned whether Alexander was a Christian when he wrote this work, or ever became one afterwards. Photius says (Contra Manichæos, i, 11) that he was Bishop of Lycopolis (in the Egyptian Thebaid), but Bardenhewer opines (Patrologie, 234) that he was a pagan and a platonist.

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Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP XXI.--SOME PORTIONS OF THE VIRTUE HAVE GOOD IN

CHAP XXI.--SOME PORTIONS OF THE VIRTUE HAVE GOOD IN THEM, OTHERS MORE GOOD; IN THE SUN AND THE MOON IT IS INCORRUPT, IN OTHER THINGS DEPRAVED; AN IMPROBABLE OPINION. But if any one were to apply his mind to what follows, the road would not appear to be plain and straightforward, but more arduous eve... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. I.--THE EXCELLENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

CHAP. I.--THE EXCELLENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY; THE ORIGIN OF HERESIES AMONGST CHRISTIANS. THE philosophy of the Christians is termed simple. But it bestows very great attention to the formation of manners, enigmatically insinuating words of more certain truth respecting God; the principal of ... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. II.--THE AGE OF MANICAEUS, OR MANES

CHAP. II.--THE AGE OF MANICAEUS, OR MANES; HIS FIRST DISCIPLES;THE TWO PRINCIPLES; MANICHAEAN MATTER. So in these matters also, whilst in novelty of opinion each endeavours to show himself first and superior, they brought this philosophy, which is simple, almost to a nullity. Such was he whom they c... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. III.--THE FANCIES OF MANICHAEUS CONCERNING MATTER.

CHAP. III.--THE FANCIES OF MANICHAEUS CONCERNING MATTER. It came to pass on a time that matter conceived a desire to attain to the superior region; and when it had arrived there, it admired the brightness and the light which was with God. And, indeed, it wished to seize on for itself the place of pr... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. IV.--THE MOON'S INCREASE AND WANE

CHAP. IV.--THE MOON'S INCREASE AND WANE; THE MANICHAEAN TRIFLING RESPECTING IT; THEIR DREAMS ABOUT MAN AND CHRIST; THEIR FOOLISH SYSTEM OF ABSTINENCE. He ordained this, forsooth, to supply to the Demiurge, or Creator, another power which might attract to the splendour of the sun; and the thing is ma... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. IX.--THE RIDICULOUS FANCIES OF THE MANICHAEANS

CHAP. IX.--THE RIDICULOUS FANCIES OF THE MANICHAEANS ABOUT THE MOTION OF MATTER TOWARDS GOD; GOD THE AUTHOR OF THE REBELLION OF MATTER IN THE MANICHAEAN SENSE; THE LONGING OF MATTER FOR LIGHT AND BRIGHTNESS GOOD; DIVINE GOOD NONE THE LESS FOR BEING COMMUNICATED. But in what manner, and from what cau... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. V.--THE WORSHIP OF THE SUN AND MOON UNDER GOD

CHAP. V.--THE WORSHIP OF THE SUN AND MOON UNDER GOD; SUPPORT SOUGHT FOR THE MANICHAEANS IN THE GRECIAN FABLES; THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES AND FAITH DESPISED BY THE MANICHAEANS. These things are the principal of what they say and think. And they honour very especially the sun and moon, not as go... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. VI.--THE TWO PRINCIPLES OF THE MANICHAEANS

CHAP. VI.--THE TWO PRINCIPLES OF THE MANICHAEANS; THEMSELVES CONTROVERTED; THE PYTHAGOREAN OPINION RESPECTING FIRST PRINCIPLES; GOOD AND EVIL CONTRARY; THE VICTORY ON THE SIDE OF GOOD. They lay down two principles, God and Matter. If he (Manes) separates that which comes into being from that which r... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. VII.--MOTION VINDICATED FROM THE CHARGE OF

CHAP. VII.--MOTION VINDICATED FROM THE CHARGE OF IRREGULARITY; CIRCULAR; STRAIGHT; OF GENERATION AND CORRUPTION; OF ALTERATION, AND QUALITY AFFECTING SENSE. There is added to the discourse an appendix quite foreign to it. For you may reasonably speak of motion not existing. And what, also, is the ma... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. VIII.--IS MATTER WICKED? OF GOD AND MATTER.

CHAP. VIII.--IS MATTER WICKED? OF GOD AND MATTER. Is matter, in respect of alteration, an evil cause? It is thus proved that it is not more evil than good. For let the beginning of the, change be from evil. Thus the change is from this to good through that which is indifferent. But let the alteratio... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. X.--THE MYTHOLOGY RESPECTING THE GODS

CHAP. X.--THE MYTHOLOGY RESPECTING THE GODS; THE DOGMAS OF THE MANCHAEANS RESEMBLE THIS: THE HOMERIC ALLEGORY OF THE BATTLE OF THE GODS; ENVY AND EMULATION EXISTING; IN GOD ACCORDING TO THE MANICHAEAN OPINION,; THESE VICES ARE TO BE FOUND IN NO GOOD MAN, AND ARE TO BE ACCOUNTED DISGRACEFUL Moreover,... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XI.--THE TRANSMITTED VIRTUE OF 'THE MANICHAENS

CHAP. XI.--THE TRANSMITTED VIRTUE OF 'THE MANICHAENS; THE VIRTUES OF MATTER MIXED WITH EQUAL OR LESS AMOUNT OF EVIL. To other things, therefore, our discourse has come round about again. For, because they say that God sent virtue into matter, it is worth our while to consider whether this virtue, so... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XII.--THE DESTRUCTION OF EVIL BY THE IMMISSION OF

CHAP. XII.--THE DESTRUCTION OF EVIL BY THE IMMISSION OF VIRTUE REJECTED; BECAUSE FROM IT ARISES NO DIMINUTION OF EVIL; ZENO'S OPINION DISCARDED, THAT THE WORLD WILL BE BURNT UP BY FIRE FROM THE SUN. But that God sent virtue into matter is asserted without any proof, and it altogether wants probabili... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XIV.--NOXIOUS ANIMALS WORSHIPPED BY THE

CHAP. XIV.--NOXIOUS ANIMALS WORSHIPPED BY THE EGYPTIANS; MAN BY ARTS AN EVIL-DOER; LUST AND INJUSTICE CORRECTED BY LAWS AND DISCIPLINE; CONTINGENT AND NECESSARY THINGS IN WHICH THERE IS NO STAIN. And, as it seems, we have been ignorant that the Egyptians rightly worship the crocodile and the lion an... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XIX.--THE SECOND VIRTUE OF THE MANICHAEANS BESET

CHAP. XIX.--THE SECOND VIRTUE OF THE MANICHAEANS BESET WITH THE FORMER, AND WITH NEW ABSURDITIES; VIRTUE, ACTIVE AND PASSIVE, THE FASHIONER OF MATTER, AND CONCRETE WITH IT; BODIES DIVIDED BY MANICHAEUS INTO THREE PARTS. But if it had been said that divine virtue both hath adorned and does adorn matt... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XV.--THE LUST AND DESIRE OF SENTIENT THINGS

CHAP. XV.--THE LUST AND DESIRE OF SENTIENT THINGS; DEMONS; ANIMALS SENTIENT; SO ALSO THE SUN AND THE MOON AND STARS;THE PLATONIC DOCTRINE, NOT THE CHRISTIAN. Whence, then, come pleasure and desire? For these are the principal evils that they talk of and hate. Nor does matter appear to be anything el... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XVI.--BECAUSE SOME ARE WISE, NOTHING PREVENTS

CHAP. XVI.--BECAUSE SOME ARE WISE, NOTHING PREVENTS OTHERS FROM BEING SO; VIRTUE IS TO BE ACQUIRED BY DILIGENCE AND STUDY; BY A SOUNDER PHILOSOPHY MEN ARE TO BE CARRIED ONWARDS TO THE GOOD; THE COMMON STUDY OF VIRTUE HAS BY CHRIST BEEN OPENED UP TO ALL. In general, it is worth while to inquire of th... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XVII.--THE MANICHAEAN IDEA OF VIRTUE IN MATTER

CHAP. XVII.--THE MANICHAEAN IDEA OF VIRTUE IN MATTER SCOUTED; IF ONE VIRTUE HAS BEEN CREATED IMMATERIAL, THE REST ARE ALSO IMMATERIAL; MATERIAL VIRTUE AN EXPLODED NOTION. Moreover, how do they say, did God send divine virtue into matter? For if it always was, and neither is God to be understood as e... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XVIII.--DISSOLUTION AND INHERENCE ACCORDING TO

CHAP. XVIII.--DISSOLUTION AND INHERENCE ACCORDING TO THE MANICHAEANS; THIS IS WELL PUT, AD HOMINEM, WITH RESPECT TO MANES, WHO IS HIMSELF IN MATTER. This then is the wise assertion which is made by them--namely, that as we see that the body perishes when the soul is separated from it, so also, when ... Read More
Alexander of Lycopolis

CHAP. XX.--THE DIVINE VIRTUE IN THE VIEW OF THE SAME

CHAP. XX.--THE DIVINE VIRTUE IN THE VIEW OF THE SAME MANICHAEUS CORPOREAL AND DIVISIBLE; THE DIVINE VIRTUE ITSELF MATTER WHICH BECOMES EVERYTHING; THIS IS NOT FITTING. I, indeed, besides all these things, wonder that they do not perceive that they are making the divine virtue to be corporeal, and di... Read More

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