Carpocrates
Carpocrates of Alexandria (Greek: Καρποκράτης ήταν αλεξανδρινός) was the founder of an early Gnostic sect from the first half of the 2nd century, known as Carpocratians. As with many Gnostic sects, the Carpocratians are known only through the writings of the Church Fathers, principally Irenaeus of Lyons and Clement of Alexandria. As these writers strongly opposed Gnostic doctrine, there is a question of negative bias when using this source. While the various references to the Carpocratians differ in some details, they agree as to the libertinism of the sect, a charge commonly levied by pagans against Christians and conversely by Christians against pagans and heretics.
Carpocrates | |
|---|---|
| Born | mid-late 1st century Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire |
| Died | 2nd century Cephalonia, Epirus, Roman Empire |
| Occupation | Leader of early Gnostic sect at Cephalonia |
| Spouse | Alexandria of Cephalonia |
| Children | Epiphanes |
| Theological work | |
| Tradition or movement | Gnosticism |
| Main interests | Christianity |
| Notable ideas | Anamnesis, Antinomianism, Archons, the Demiurge, Reincarnation and Christian proto-communism |
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