Allogenes

Allogenes is a series of Gnostic texts. The main character in these texts is Allogenes (Greek: ἀλλογενής), which translates as 'stranger,' 'foreigner,' or 'of another race.' The first text discovered was Allogenes as the third tractate in Codex XI of the Nag Hammadi library. The Coptic manuscript is a translation of a Greek original, likely written in Alexandria before 300 AD. In this text, containing Middle Platonic or Neoplatonic elements, Allogenes receives divine revelations.

A different text, The Temptation of Allogenes, was discovered as the fourth tractate in the Codex Tchacos. In this text, Allogenes resists temptation and ascends. Codex Tchacos, also written in Coptic, is likely older than NHC XI based on radiocarbon dating, but it is unknown exactly when the original texts were composed. Both texts have some damage and are incomplete.

Other Allogenes texts may have been written. In section 39.5.1 of the Panarion, Epiphanius of Salamis writes, "They (the Sethians) compose certain books in the name of great men, and say that there are seven books in Seth's name, and give the name 'Strangers' to other, different books." In section 40.2.2, Epiphanius also adds, "And by now they (the Archontics) also have the ones called the 'Strangers'—there are books with this title." Porphyry, in Life of Plotinus, mentions a Revelation bearing the name Allogenes.