Carpocrates

Carpocrates of Alexandria was the founder of the Gnostic- Christian group of Carpocratians, designated in Rome to their local leader as Marcellianer.

Whether Carpocrates is a historical person, is controversial. In terms of tradition by Celsus Carpocrates is also equated with Harpocrates.

Swell

Information about Carpocrates and Carpocratians are mainly found in Irenaeus of Lyons and Clement of Alexandria. During the presentation of the teachings Carpocrates ' in Irenaeus was Gnosticism often viewed with suspicion because of his opposition, its basic credibility has been largely corroborated by the findings at Nag Hammadi.

Also mentioned is Carpocrates by later authors, Tertullian, Eusebius of Caesarea, Theodoret, and Augustine of Hippo. However, most authors assume that they have their information from the above sources.

In the evaluation of the sources has to be considered that it is all the authors is the Church Fathers, who faced Gnosticism very negative.

Life

So little is known about the life of Carpocrates that many authors doubt whether it is a historical person with him.

For Irenaeus no particulars of the Carpocrates can be found.

Clement of Alexandria reported that Carpocrates from Alexandria tribe that he was married to a native of the island of Kefalonia Alexandria, and that he had a son named Epiphanes, who had also been leader of the Carpocratians and died at age 17.

The chronicle of Michael Syrus Carpocrates dated to the first half of the 2nd century.

Teaching

The earliest and most detailed description of the doctrine of Carpocrates comes from Irenaeus ( Adversus haereses I, 25.1 to 6 ). Even if we assume its existence for granted, it would be difficult to say anything reliable about his very own teaching, as well as Irenaeus does not separate the statements of Carpocrates from those of his followers and successors.

Carpocratians

According to Origen the doctrine of Carpocratians in the time of Bishop Anicetus (about 154-166 ) by a woman named Marcellina was brought to Rome, which had been the leader of the Carpocratians also in Rome. Irenaeus reports that this group would be named after their leader also Marcellianer and that they called themselves Gnostics.

The Carpocratians in Alexandria are believed to have been destroyed 202 during the persecution of Christians under Septimius Severus.

Swell

• Clement of Alexandria: Stromata iii.ii (English line).