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Valentinus

c. 100 – c. 160 · b. Phrebonis, Egypt
theologian

Influential Gnostic teacher active in Rome c. 136-160; founder of the Valentinian school. Considered heterodox; refuted at length by Irenaeus.

Chain to Jesus

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Common questions

Who was Valentinus?
Valentinus (100–160) — Influential Gnostic teacher active in Rome c. 136-160; founder of the Valentinian school. Considered heterodox; refuted at length by Irenaeus.
Who did Valentinus oppose?
Irenaeus of Lyons, Tertullian, and Hippolytus of Rome.

Sources for biography

  • Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 1.1-9 primary
  • Tertullian, Adversus Valentinianos primary

documented connections(3)

  • opposed (incoming) Irenaeus of Lyons
    The bulk of Adversus Haereses is directed against the Valentinian system.
    Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 1.1-9, 2 passim
  • opposed (incoming) Tertullian
    Tertullian's Adversus Valentinianos refutes the Valentinian school.
    Tertullian, Adversus Valentinianos
  • opposed (incoming) Hippolytus of Rome
    Hippolytus' Refutatio devotes considerable space to refuting Valentinian and other Gnostic systems.
    Hippolytus, Refutatio Omnium Haeresium 6

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