Alexander of Lycopolis

Alexander of Lycopolis was the writer of a short treatise, in twenty-six chapters, against the Manicheans (J. P. Migne, "Patrologia Graeca", 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 Manichaeos", i, 11) that he was Bishop of Lycopolis (in the Egyptian Thebaid), but Otto Bardenhewer opines ("Patrologie", 234) that he was a pagan and a Platonist.

ources

*catholic
*cite encyclopedia | last = Christie | first = Albany James | authorlink = | title = Alexander Lycopolites | editor = William Smith | encyclopedia = Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology | volume = 1 | pages = 118 | publisher = Little, Brown and Company | location = Boston | year = 1867 | url = http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moa;cc=moa;idno=acl3129.0001.001;size=l;frm=frameset;seq=133

External links

* [http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/30_20_0250-0350-_Alexander_Lycopolitanus.html Greek Opera Omnia by Migne Patrologia Graeca, with Analytical Indexes]