Saunders Sethian-Valentinian Glossary

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Introduction:

It is the primary function of a glossary to present terms and concepts relative to names, and words, directed to a specific field of study. It is not likely any modern reader could read the translations of the Nag Hammadi Library and be able to understand the unique vocabulary contained in the NHL works. It is my intent that this work can make these early Christian works intelligible enough for people to comprehend them.

 This work presents literal and the mathematically corresponding definitions and explanations of Sethian and Valentinian specific words shared in Nag Hammadi Library works from the time of Paul, 38 A.D. to the time of the Valentinians, 100-180 A.D. Most of this unique vocabulary is aligned with the Aeonology and the Monad.

 Many of these NHL works designate they are secret, and it is obvious what is secret is the Aeonology. This has made disclosing the dynamics of the Monadology, and Sethian Aeonology difficult to learn. It is one of my goals to explain in this work part the relationship between the Sethian Aeonology and the use of the Pythagorean Monadic system. It is prima facie this same method was used by the early Christian Naassenes-Sethians and Valentinians.  They shared the secret device of the Monad to explain Aeon emanations. More research in this area is needed.

 It is not possible to give exact dates to any early Sethian-Naassene written works because, for one, they were supposed to be secret. Another reason is there are only copies of the original works mostly scribed about 200 A.D. Scholars have copies of copies, but no originals. This includes New Testament works.

 Sethian works can be distinguished from later Valentinian works. This opens up the opportunity to divide the shared works of Sethians and Valentinians into three eras. All the Gnostic works mentioned below were extant before the end of the Basilidian era.

1. The Sethian-Naassene Era (44-90) of Alexandrian Gnosticism began when the Apostle Mark became the founder of Christianity and the Catechetical school in Alexandria. Anninaus of Alexandria served as Pope of Alexandria from 63 A.D. During this era the Apostle Matthias, taught Carpocrates, and the Apostle Basilides in this era. Basilides also received instruction from Glaucius, Peter's scribe; circa 44 to 90 A.D. (see Mead)

2. The Basilidian Era (90-120) of Alexandrian Gnosticism is when Basilides taught Valentinus and other Alexandrian Gnostics, circa, 90-120 A.D. Valentinus also received instruction from Theudas, companion to Paul. Pope Justus of Alexandria was still Dean of the Catechetical School until 127. He had been appointed by Mark. Basilides died in 138 A.D.

3. The Valentinian Era (120-180) of Alexandrian Gnosticism is when Valentinus taught, Heracleon, Theodotus, Bardesanes, Ptolemy, and others, 120 -180 A.D. All of the known Gnostics have extant writings, all of which can be identified by Sethian Specific terms. Valentinus died in 180, but records show Valentinians practiced until after 600 A.D. (NHL Archives)

 Shared Valentinian, post-Sethian Vocabulary-Valentinian Era:

 The following list of terms and names represent a smaller lexicon used by later Valentinians. These terms and names show up in the earlier Sethian and Basilidian works, and are included below in the Sethian-Valentinian Lexicon. It shows a lineage to the first known works of the Naassenes to the later Valentinians.

Valentinian Lexicon:

 (Aeon, Archon, Bridal Chamber, Demiurge, Garment, Hebdomad, Logos, Monad, Ogdoad, Pleroma, Pistis, Pronoia, Sabaoth, Sophia, Totalities, Yaldabaoth)

 The above terms, names, and concepts are mentioned in the following Valentinian works (120 A.D-180 A.D.) These later works indicate a direct link to the vocabulary below in the earlier Sethian works.

 "A Valentinian Exposition" by {Valentinus, circa 120-140 A.D.} (Aeon, Monad, Hebdomad, Pleroma, Sophia, Pronoia) [5 parallels]

"Tripartite Tractate" (Aeon, Pleroma, Garment, Logos, Bridal Chamber) [5]

"The Sophia of Jesus Christ" (Aeons, Sophia, Ogdoad, Pistis, Yaldabaoth) [5]

"Eugnostos the Blessed" (Aeon, Sophia, Pistis, Monad) [4]

 "The Gospel of Truth" (Aeon, Pleroma, Logos) [3]

"Testimony of Truth" (Garment, Ogdoad, Sabaoth) [3] The text mentions Valentineans and Basilides)

 Sethians and Valentinians shared the secret works of the Nag Hammadi collections from the earliest Sethian works to later Valentinian works. The work done by Irenaeus, "Against Heresies" actually mentions this. Most of the words below are from works prior to Valentinus. The fact of the lineage in the relationship becomes obvious from the vocabulary they shared. These are the words that form a unique lexicon or word-list known from Sethian texts circa, 38 A.D. to 120 A.D.

 The Sethian-Valentinian Lexicon:

(Abrasax, Adonaios, Aeons, Aphredon, Archons, Armedon, Armozel, Astraphaios, Autogenes, Barbelo, Bridal Chamber, Davithai, (Domedon) Doxomedon, Demiurge, Echamoth (Achamoth), Eleleth, Ennoia, Iao/Jeu, Gamaliel, Garment, Hebdomad, Kaliptos, Logos, Marsanes, Mirotheos, Monad, Ogdoad, Oriel, Pistis, Pleroma, Protennoia, Protophanes, Sabaoth, Saklas, Sophia, Totalities, Yaldabaoth, Youel) Note: There are variations for some spellings in the above list.

 The above terms are used in the following Sethian works, (NHL Web):

 Title of Sethian-Valentinian Texts - (Parallels to Sethian Specific Terms -[hits]):

 "The Gospel of the Egyptians" (Pleroma, Aeon, Archon, Sophia, Mirotheos, Youel, Barbelo, Adonaios, Sabaoth, Harmozel, Davithai, Oriel, Eleleth, Sakla(s), Monad, Hebdomad, Ogdoad, Iao/Jeu, (Domedon) Doxomedon, Logos, Gamaliel, Abrasax, Autogenes) [23]

 "Books of Jeu (Iao)" {NHL Archives} (Aeon, Jeu/Iao, Pleroma, Archon, Sophia, Aphredon, Demiurge, Mousanios, Harmozel, Davithai, Oroiael, Eleleth, Marsanes, Monad, Hebdoad, Ogdoad, Logos, Gamaliel) [19]

 "The Apocryphon of John" {John Zebedee} (Pleroma, Aeon, Garment, Ennoia, Astraphaios, Archon, Sophia, Yaldabaoth, Adonaios, Barbelo, Sabaoth, Armozel, Davithai, Oriel, Eleleth, Monad, Saklas, Autogenes) [18]

 "Trimorphic Protennoia" (Pleroma, Aeon, Archon, Sophia, Garment, Yaltabaoth, Mellaphaneus, Mirotheos, Saklas, Armedon, Barbelo, 'Ennoia,' Armozel, Davithai, Oriel, Eleleth, Mousanios) [17]

 "Zostrianos" (Pleroma, Archon, Aeon, Sophia, Youel, Protophanes, Barbelo, Aphredon, Kalyptos, Armozel, Davithai, Oroiel, Eleleth, Doxomedon, Gamaliel, Abrasax, Autogenes) [17]

 "The Second Treatise of the Great Seth" by {Jesus} (Pleroma, Aeon Archon, Ennoia, Sophia, Bridal Chamber, Yaldabaoth, Adonaios, Monad, Hebdomad, Ogdoad) [11]

 "Allogenes" (Aeon, Mellephaneus, Youel, Protophanes, Aphredon, Barbelo, Kalyptos, Harmedon, Garment, Autogenes) [10]

 "The Pistis Sophia" {NHL Archives} (Pleroma, Aeon, Archon, Sophia, Yaldabaoth, Sabaoth, Jeu, Barbelo,) [8]

 "Melchizedek" (Barbelo, Armozel, Davithai, Oriel, Eleleth, Garment, Doxomedon, Gamaliel) [8]

 "The Three Steles of Seth" by {Dositheos} (Aeon, Sophia, Mirotheos, Aphredon, Armedon, Barbelo, Monad {one}) [7]

"On the Origin of the World" (Sophia, Yaldabaoth, Adonaios, Astraphaios, Yao, Sabaoth, Demiurge) [7]

"Hypostasis of the Archons" (Archon, Yaldabaoth, Sophia, Eleleth, Sabaoth, Saklas, Sophia) [7]

"Marsanes" (Barbelo, Monad, Hebdomad, Ogdoad, Garment, Ieou) [6]

"The First Apocalypse of James" (the Just) (Adonaios, Archon, Hebdomad, Echmoth, Garment) [5]

"A Valentinian Exposition" by {Valentinus, circa 120 A.D.} (Monad, Demiurge, Hebdomad, Pleroma, Sophia, Pronoia) [6]

"The Gospel of Philip" (Aeon, Archon, Garment, Echmoth, Bridal Chamber) [5]

"The Gospel of Thomas" by {Judas Thomas} (Bridal Chamber, Garment, {aeon}) [3]

"The Gospel of Mary" by {Mariamne} (Aeon) [1]

 List of Works and number of parallels to the S-V Lexicon:

"The Gospel of the Egyptians" * (23 parallels to the above lexicon)

"Books of Jeu (Iao)" (19)

"The Apocryphon of John" * (18)

"Trimorophic Protennoia" (17)

"Zostrianos" (17)

"The Second Treatise of the Great Seth" (12)

"Allogenes" (10)

"The Pistis Sophia" * (9)

"Melchizedek" (8)

"On the Origin of the World" (8)

"Hypostasis of the Archons" (8)

"The Three Steles of Seth" (7)

"Marsanes" (6)

"The First Apocalypse of James" (5)

"The Gospel of Philip"* (5)

"The Gospel of Thomas" * (3)

"The Gospel of Mary" * (1)

 (*) Asterisk indicates works known by Hippolytus or Irenaeus around 180 A.D.

 Definition of Sethian-Valentinian Terms:

 Abrasax: The name refers to Eleleth the fourth Light Angel as an Aeon-Hebdomad power of the Father over good or evil. The letters of this word add up to 365 in a Greek method of numerology. The term and the 365 Aeon concept were used by both Sethians and Valentinians and appears in other Sethian and Valentinian extant writings. It was identified by Irenaeus in "Against Heresies" as being also a Basilidian concept. (Mead, NHL Archives)

 Adonaios: The name refers to the entity and powers of the Father in the Construction of the Sethian-Valentinian schema of the divine tripartite powers of Jesus, Father-Mother-Son. The word has Sethian-Mandaean roots and is used as Adonai-Sabaoth. Adonaios or Father is an Archon of the Pleroma and has the power of and mathematical value of the Ogdoad. In the Sethian philosophy the Father is the Monad in the algorithm of the tripartite Father, Mother, and Son unity: (Monad-Father A=C) (Duad, Father-Mother A=B=B=C) (Synthesis of Father-Mother-Son, A=B=C) = 1 (Logos)

 Aeon: The term refers to emanations (spirit or pneuma) from the Pleroma, or the energy of thought entering man's mind, like from the demiurge as an Aeon-Monad. All human emotions enter our minds as Aeon emanations. Aeons are formed from tripartite unions of a Monad, Duad, and Triad. Aeons as emanations are one-half of a duality, and Aeon sequences like Hebdomads and Ogdoads are made of other Aeon-Monads which can form a matrix. This is like the Evil Trinity, or Sacred Tetrad. Aeon names are given mathematical, literal, and gematric tripartite values. Aeon names usually represent titles for whole fields of study. The emanation process in Sethianism is based upon the early Sethian Father, Mother, and Son, Ogdoad trinity, giving Jesus the power of divinity as the Monad. This method is based upon the concept of three roads meeting to form one road, and when four roads come together, it forms one point. Aeons are constructed from Monads aligned with the algorithm of the Trivium Method. All Aeon emanations like triads, tetrads, hebdomads, and ogdoads work based upon the same algorithm: (1st Premise/Monad A=C) (2nd Supporting Premise/Duad A=B = B=C) (Synthesis/Triad of A=B=C) = 1. (Logos) (SGG, 2015)

 Aeonology: The Sethian-Valentinian Aeonology is an ancient study of the Aeon's mathematical grammar based upon the ancient Pythagorean Monadic sequence combined with methods of Trivium logic. It is a system where names and words have equal tripartite, mathematical, gematric, and literal values that are combined in a sequence or (n-tuple) to make one value. The model is used as a method of applied deductive type reasoning and logic based upon the algorithm, (A=C) (A=B = B=C) (Synthesis of A=B=C) = 1 (SGG)

 Aphredon: Aeon power of Light (good over evil) associated with the first Light Angel Aphredon/ Armedon as a part of the Ogdoad powers of the Father.

Archon: The name for the primary source of Aeon-Ogdoad power of the Father and Mother, or Jesus as the power of the Father, Mother, and Son, as existing in the Pleroma. Archons are the source of Aeon powers to the Cosmology and Mind. In the Sethian-Valentinian schema Archons have the power of the 'Eighth' as Ogdoads. Emanations from the Pleroma exist as seven unit Aeon-Hebdomad emanations. Aeons emanate from Archons.

Armedon: Armedon/Harmedon/Armozel; Another name used for the first Light Angel, or 'power begetter' associated with 'understanding' from the 'Light' Ogdoad powers of the Father.

Astraphaios; An Archon-Ogdoad power associated with the evil aspects of wisom (Echamoth) or evil Sophia.

Autogenes: The self-begotten Archon powers of creation existing in the Pleroma.

Barbelo, Barbelon: The term Barbelon refers to the 2nd Archon-Ogdoad power of the Mother in the tripartite union of Father, Mother, and Son in the Pleroma. Barbelo represents the Aeon powers over gender and creativity. Barbelo is expressed in the Sethian-Valentinian philosophy mathematically in the Bridal Chamber concept aligned with the Monadic triad or Trivium method: (Monad-Father A=C) (Duad, Father-Mother A=B=B=C) (Synthesis of Father-Mother-Son, A=B=C) = 1 (Logos)

 Bridal Chamber: A place or mindset of transcendence, where male and female Aeon energies merge in a syzygy or union. The Bridal Chamber is the Valentinian mathematical union of Father-Mother in the schema of the Three Ogdoad powers of the Pleroma from the Father, Mother (Barbelo), and Son unity. In the Trivium algorithm male and female are (A=B =B=C) as the 2nd Supporting premise. (1st Premise/Monad-Father A=C) (2nd Supporting Premise, Duad/Father-Mother (Bridal Chamber) A=B = B=C) (Synthesis is the Triad of Father, Mother, Son/A=B=C) = 1. (Logos) (SGG)

Davithai: Davithai/Mellaphaneus; The Second Light Angel associated with Grace or Perception from the Ogdoad powers of the Father.

 Demiurge; the term refers to transitional boundaries and was used by ancients in the time of Plato. However Sethian meanings seem to be different than the Platonic usage. The Demiurge is used as the allegorical Cosmotractor or Craftsman, who represents the boundaries in and between the Father and Mother in the Pleroma and to the 'earthly' Kenoma. Aeon Monads enter the Mind and the Cosmology through the boundary of the demiurge from the Pleroma to the earthly logos of the Kenoma. The meaning of thought originating through the demiurge as Aeon Monads is relative to the dynamics of the Sethian-Valentinian schema of the cosmogony and the way Aeons enter the mind. (SGG)

 (Domedon) Doxomedon: An allegorical name for the Aeon power of Jesus as a result of the unity in the Sethian trinity of Father, Mother, and Son.

Echamoth: Refers to the earthly power of wisdom from the Aeon-Hebdomad emanations of Sophia. The term may be a derivation of Achamoth meaning wisdom. Echmoth refers to the 'little' wisdom of death.

Eleleth /Abrasax /Mousanios: The Fourth Light Angel. He is associated with intelligence or prudence. In some works Eleleth takes over the powers of evil.

Ennoia; The term means thought, as in the first thought of Protennoia or Sophia as a power of wisdom. (See also Metenoia, meaning change of mind)

Iao/Jeu: A Sethian name for the true God, as the overseer of Light. (See "The Books of Jeu")

Gamaliel: A name for one of the watchers of the Light Angels as a guardian of the Soul. The name has roots in pre-Christian Hebrew.

Garment; Refers to the Sethian concept of flesh of the body, spiritual forms, or earthly clothing. The word also refers to the ancient Greek concept of wearing the Soul like a garment. The Soul is an Ogdoad or higher mathematical construction of an Aeon body in the Sethian schema.

Hebdomad; Refers to a seven unit Aeon emanation composed of a trivium (Monad, Duad, Triad) and quadrivium (Tetrad, Pentad, Hexad, Hebdoad) that follows the Trivium Method algorithm: (1st Premise/Trivium A=C) 2nd Supporting Premise/Quadrivium A=B = B=C) (Synthesis of A=B=C) = 1. Hebdomad.

 Another way to show the trivium and quadrivium as an Aeon-Hebdomad is: (h.e.b.) (d.o.a.d.) = 1 Hebdomad. One way to describe how a Hebdomad works is by explaining the trivium works as a sign to give information, and the quadrivium works like a signal to represent directed action. These principles are based upon the ancient Trivium Methods “where three roads form one road, and where four roads meet, forms a single point.”

 Kaliptos: The name-term has Greek and Latin origins meaning to cover. The term refers to the 'virgin male' counterpart of the female aspect or powers of Sophia and Barbelo in the Sethian epistemology.

 Logos; The term for Sethians and Valentinians can be synonymous with the Word of God as an emanation of truth, or as a reflection of man's divine or Aeon form in the Pleroma. In both Sethian and Platonic Christian Gnosticism logos refers to a system of order, reason, and knowledge. Aristotle characterized logos as an examination of a premise using both inductive and deductive logic, i.e. checks and balances. The concept of truth in the Logos in Sethian Christianity is shown with the following algorithm used in Trivium Method logic. This principle is based upon a tripartite union where three roads meet to form one road, and where four roads or the tetrad meets in the center it forms a single point: (1st Premise/Monad A=C) (2nd Supporting Premise/Duad A=B = B=C) (Synthesis/Triad of A=B=C) = 1 Logos. (SGG-2014)

 Marsanes: The name of an NHL text. Marsanes is also mentioned in the "Books of Jeu," and "The Pistis Sophia."

 Mirotheos: The term refers to the Aeon power of the unification of the Mother. The Mother's Ogdoad powers work in unity with the Father. (A=B) = (B=C) The word is also used to connote a person, Eleleth and the powers of darkness and evil. Or, can be a reference to the powers of good over evil.

Monad; The term means {one} and can refer to the first unit of an Aeon emanation. The term is used in the tradition of Trivium Method logic where three roads meet to form one road, and four roads meet to form one point. In the Pythagorean trivium method that one road or point formed from the meeting of roads is called the Monad. In both ancient and modern models the Monad is formed from a tripartite union. The study of the Monad and Monadic sequence is called the Monadology.

Ogdoad; Refers to an eight unit Aeon emanation as a body, composed of two tetrads that form a 1st and 2nd premise in the Trivium Method formula: (1st Tetrad/Premise A=C) (2nd Tetrad/Supporting Premise A=B =B=C) (Synthesis of A=B=C) = 1 Ogdoad. Another way to express the Monadic values of the Ogdoad is: (A. Monad, B. Duad, C. Triad, D. Tetrad) (E. Pentad, F. Hexad, G. Hebdoad H. Ogdoad) (Synthesis A=B=C=D=E=F=G=H) =1. A Tetrad works like a four point compass, and an Ogdoad works like an eight point compass.

 Oriel: The third Light Angel associated with Grace from the syzygy of the Ogdoad powers of the Father and Mother.

 Pistis; The term means 'faith' in regard to salvation from knowledge of the Savior as an Archon power. The term is often paired with Sophia, as Pistis-Sophia. This is a reference to having faith in wisdom or Logos.

 Pleroma: The term means the 'All,' the source of Archons and Aeon power. The Pleroma is the antithesis of the earthly or hylic state of the Kenoma. The Archon powers of the Father, Mother, and Son emanate Aeon-Monads into our Minds and they become Aeon-Hebdomads. The term Ogdoad can refer to the level of the Pleroma. Aeon Emanations from the Pleroma are Aeon Monads that become Aeon-Hebdomads. All human emotions as Aeon emanations in the Sethian philosophy can be shown as seven unit, two-part Aeon Hebdomads.

 Protennoia: (Pronoia)The term refers to the first thought or voice of the female 'Barbelon' powers in the Pleroma. See the NHL, "Trimorphic Protennoia.” The term is related to Pronoia which refers to forethought, while epinoia refers to insight or afterthought.

 Protophanes; The term refers to the combined power or form of the Father or Barbelo and Armedon (Protophanes-Harmedon) the First Light Angel together with other powers of the Pleroma, Father and Mother.

 Sabaoth: The name refers to the son, or brother but the term also refers to the Archon or Ogdoad powers of Adonaios or Yaldabaoth over the Aeon powers that emanate from the Pleroma. Sabaoth is the counterpart to Sophia, or good vs. evil in some texts. The name Sabaoth has linguistic Mandaean-Naasseni roots.

Saklas: Demonic name for the evil powers of Sabaoth as the ruler of the Aeon-Hebdomad forces from the Pleroma.

Sophia, The term refers to the sister image of Sabaoth, with the Aeon power of 'Wisdom' in relation to the Archon or Ogdoad powers of the Father and Mother Barbelo (n). Sophia is often credited with having the Aeon powers of the Mother in the Pleroma.

Totalities: A Valentinian reference to the divine Ogdoad powers of Father-Mother-Son as the Archon powers of the Pleroma.

Yaldabaoth, (Ialdabaoth), Ancient Greek reference to magistrate. The name-term refers to the Father or first Ogdoad power as opposed to Barbelo as the Mother or second Ogdoad power in the Sethian trinity of Father, Mother, and Son. This trinity can be expressed with the mathematical algorithm: (1st Premise/Monad-Father A=C) (2nd Supporting Premise/Father-Mother (Bridal Chamber) A=B = B=C) (Synthesis of Father, Mother, and Son/ A=B=C) = 1. (Logos)

Youel; The name's origin is unknown but may be synonymous with Kalyptos as the 'virgin male' or virgin female in relation to the Archon-Ogdoad power of Barbelo, the Mother.

Other Useful Sethian-Valentinian Related Facts and Terms

Alexandrian Catechetical School of Christianity: The Catechetical School Chronology of Alexandrian Christianity:

1. Saint Mark, (b.?- d. 68 A.D.) Founded Alexandrian Christianity around 44 A.D. and founded the Catechetical School, the "Didascalium" around 66 A.D. when he returned from Rome after the deaths of Peter and Paul. Pope Anninaus of Alexandria, (served from 63 succeeding Mark as Pope of Alexandria.)
2. Pope Justus, of Alexandria (served as the Dean of the Catechetical School until 129. He was appointed by Mark, circa 60's.)
3. Pope Eumenes of Alexandria (dob: unknown), served as Dean from 129 - 140?
4. Pope Markianos of Alexandria, served as Dean from 140? -152.
5. Athenagoras, (b.133-d.190) served as Dean, 152-181.
6. Pantaenus, (served as Dean circa, 181- 190)
7. Clement (served as Dean circa, 190, and died in 215; dob unknown)
8. Origen (presumed Dean) (b.185- d.254 C.E.) (Sources Wikipedia, SGG, et sec.)

Allogenes: Means "alien" or of another race. The existence of spiritual force in the material realm is "alien" to it. This includes both Aeons, such as the Logos, as well as the Gnostic him/herself. According to Dr. Gilles, Allogenes is also a reference to Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. In Jewish gnosis Seth is viewed as the Saviour." (Emeritus Professor Gilles Quispel, who discovered the "Gospel of Thomas.") ''Allogenes'' is a 'Sethian' tractate, and is contained in Codex XI. 3, of the Nag Hammadi Lib.

Cosmogony: Study of the cosmos and 'system of the cosmic order' in regard to creation. In Gnosticism the cosmogony is related in terms of Aeon emanations from the Archons (Powers) of the logos in the Pleroma, through the Demiurge, and into the earthly state of the kenoma. 

Cosmology: Study of the existing physical universe and its governing laws.

Craftsman: A term used to connote Gnostic attainment. The term is also used in regard to creation. "All things were made through Him," means that it was the Word who caused the Craftsman (Demiurge) to make the world, that is it was not the Word "from whom" or "by whom," but the one "through whom (all things were made).". . The term also refers to men, ''The official was the Craftsman, for he himself ruled like a king over those under him.'' (Heracleon) " Clement of Alexandria explains ''.....correct expounders of the truth, are Gnostics. Since also, in what pertains to life, Craftsmen are superior to ordinary people, and model what is beyond common notions; so, consequently, we also, giving a complete exhibition of the Scriptures from the Scriptures themselves, from faith persuaded by demonstration." (Clement. "Stromata" Bk. 7.)

 Eschatology: refers to the beliefs concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind. This includes the study of the resurrection of the dead, and the concept of a final judgement.

 Exegesis: An explanation of a passage, or word. Exegesis is related to applying allegory to the translation and interpretation of scripture.

 Gematria: The study or science and art of number and letter manipulation. This would include geometric forms such as the Tetrakys of the Decad. ''I {Jesus} have turned their (periods of) influence and their quadrangles and their triangles and their figures of eight, since their (periods of) influence remained turned to the left from the beginning, together with their quadrangles and their triangles and their figures of eight.'' (''Pistis Sophia,'' See also; Tetrakys of the Decad.'' See also; ''Marsanes.'' See: Ophite drawings, and G.R.S. Mead's ''Simon Magus.")

Hylic: "Of matter." Hylics can be thought of as a level of thinking, dealing with the lowest portion of human nature. It is considered living by instinctual drives with no sublimation. Hylics are said to be below 'Psychics' which are below Pneumatic or 'Gnostokoi,' the highest order of transcendence according to Valentinian and other Gnostic teaching. The world of the psychic is still in the realm of the hylic in most Gnostic scenarios because existence in the earthly state separates one from the Pleroma.

Kenoma: The earthly or hylic state of the being. In the Gnostic schema(s) the kenoma is the imperfect and the antithesis of pleroma (plhrwma), where all are in a state of privation and unreality. The term is not used directly in Sethian texts. (See Iren. Haer. I.4.I (M.7.480A); ib 1.4.2 (484A); Clem.exc.Thdot.31 (p117.11; M.9.676A); Thdt.haer.I.7 (4.298). (SGG, Source: Wade DeConick)

Kenosis: A Greek term meaning emptiness, or to make empty. As in Philippians 2:7, "Jesus made himself nothing...'' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenosis In Christian theology, Kenosis is the concept of the 'self-emptying' of one's own will and becoming entirely receptive to God or Jesus and his perfect will. In the Gnostic sense this refers to the Aeonology, and the Word as Jesus Wisdom. It is used both as an explanation of the incarnation, and an indication of the nature of God's activity and condescension in the Mind and cosmos.

Kinetikos: The ancient study of the cause and effect of Aeon emanations on the mind and body.

Light: The reference is usually in regard to good over evil, light vs. darkness. Light is also a reference to the Light Angels, being a power of the Father, in the Father, Mother, Son, tripartite union of how Jesus gains his divine powers.

 Paraclete: Parakleiton/ Puraclete) The term means "Comforter" or one who pleads a case for another. This word is sometimes used for the Holy Spirit or for the Logos. (See "1st Book of Jeu") ''The followers of Valentinus say that Jesus is the Paraclete, because he has come full of the Aeons, having come forth from the whole. For Christ left behind Sophia, who had put him forth, and going into the Pleroma, asked for help for Sophia, who was left outside; and Jesus was put forth by the goodwill of the Aeons as a Paraclete for the Aeon which had passed. There are twelve elements associated with Jesus as the Paraclete. Paracletus (Comforter) and Pistis (Faith), Patricas (Paternal) and Elpis (Hope), Metricos (Maternal) and Agape (Love), Ainos (Praise) and Synesis (Intelligence), Ecclesiasticus (Son of Ecclesia) and Macariotes (Blessedness) Theletus (Perfect) and Sophia (Wisdom). In the type of the Paraclete, Paul became the Apostle of the Gnostic living Resurrection.'' (Theodotus)

 Pneumatic: One who can comprehend or read Aeons and identifies with the spirit (pneuma), beyond that of the physical (hylic) world and the intellect alone (psychic). The pneuma, described in the ''Gospel of Phillip,'' as 'breath,' refers to bonding with the internal spark (spinther) that came from and is drawn to reunite with the Father in some Gnostic schema. One who awakens it (the spinther) within the self does it through the process of 'gnosis.' (See: Gregory of Nicaea (Basil) who used the term in his mystical teachings, and connotes a Gnostic as a Pneumatic. See also; ''Early Christian Mystics,'' McGinn, Crossroads, 2003.)

 Ruha: A Mandaean and Naasseni Gnostic concept of Spirit, an equivalent of Sophia, sometimes used to mean the Soul. The term 'Ruha' is sometimes used to refer to receiving the blessings of the Holy Spirit through the reading of scripture. In the Mandaean creation myths Ruha is a divine being who falls from grace, she marries her son Ur, and they create the seven planets, and the twelve signs of the zodiac.

 Syzygy: The term refers to a union creating a companion relationship between two forms. The union of Father and Mother in the concept of the Bridal Chamber or the union of the Spirit and Soul are considered a syzygy.

 Tetrad: A tetrad is a four unit set. In the Sethian-Valentinian Aeonology the Tetrad is a four part escalating emanation. The concept of the tetrad in the Sethian-Valentinian philosophy works on the principles that state: “Three roads meet to form one road, and where four roads meet, it forms one point.”

 The Cross is called the Sacred Tetrad known by both Sethians and Valentinian. (1.Word 2.Life, 3.Man, 4.Church) = 1 Sacred Tetrad. Tetrads follow the same algorithm as triads or triviums. (1. Premise, A=D) (2. Premise, (A=B) = (C=D) (3. Synthesis A=B=C=D) =1

 Tetrads are also used to form Quadriviums as a second premise or unit of the seven member two part Hebdomad. (Trivium = A. Monad B. Duad C. Triad) (Quadrivium = D. Tetrad E. Pentad F. Hexad G. Hebdoad) = 1. Hebdomad

 Tripartite; the term refers to a triple union of three things that become one thing. This principle is stated by Plato in his “Republic.”

 "Now then, join them to each other and make them a single one - for they are three - so that they grow together, and all are in a single image outside of the image of the man just like him who is unable to see the things inside him. But what is outside only is what he sees. And it is apparent what creature his image is in and that he was formed in a human image.”

 In the Sethian Aeonology the names in an Aeon sequence are given tripartite (mathematical, gematric, and literal) values. The term tripartite also refers to the tripartite union of Father, Mother, and Son in the construction of the divine powers of Jesus. This tripartite union of Father, Mother, and Son is a central theme of Nag Hammadi texts. It is from this tripartite union the Jesus gains his powers of divinity. This principle works with the Trivium method. (1st Premise/Monad-Father A=C) (2nd Supporting Premise/Father-Mother, (syzygy) A=B = B=C) (Tripartite Synthesis of Father, Mother, and Son/ A=B=C) = 1. (Logos)

Zoe: Means "Life," and is usually equated with "Eve" whose name means the same thing in "On the Origin of the World," and "Reality of the Rulers." Zoe Pistis, means Life-Faith. (See: ''The Pistis Sophia.'') ''They fashioned Adam and his wife Eve, who is also called in the cloud, Zoe. By this name all generations seek the man and each of them calls the woman by these names.'' (''Gospel of Judas'')

List of Sethians and Valentinians of Alexandria:

 Appollonias of Tyana: A first century mystic, who was identified with the Pythagorean or Neopythagorean movement in Alexandria.

Apelles: A Gnostic follower of Marcion who later disagreed with Marcionite philosophies, especially concerning docetics and dualism. His work "Hexaëmeron" was an attempt to refute Moses. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01593a.htm

Bardesanes: (155-233 A.D.) Bardesanes, or Bardaisan (so called from the river Daisan (the Leaper), on the banks of which he was born), was born at Edessa, on July 11th, 155 A.D., and died, most probably in the same city, in 233, at the age of 78. His parents, Nuhama and Nahashirama, were nobles. He became a follower of Valentinus, and is called by some the ''Last of the Gnostics. His most famous work was a collection of 150 Hymns or Psalms on the model of the Psalm-collection of the second temple, as still preserved in the Old Covenant documents. He is linked with the historical Syrian connection to St. Thomas. He is known for qualifying free will. ''And that everything is not in our own Free-will, that is that Free-will is not absolute, is plainly visible in everyday experience. Fortune also plays its part, but is not absolute, and Nature also. Thus "we men are found to be governed by Nature equally, and by Fortune differently, and by our Free-will each as he wishes." http://www.sacred-texts.com/gno/fff/fff57.htm

Barnabus: (?-100 c) (Barnabas) Companion to Paul and many others who founded early Christian churches, and made various journeys. Wrote the "Epistle of Barnabus," which was rejected for the Christian canon. Was the Uncle of Mark. (See; "The Lost Books of the Bible,'' Eden, LB Press. 1926-01.) http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/saintb12.htm

Basilides: (?-138) An Alexandrian Gnostic who formed sects around 120 to 138. Known to be associated with Valentinus, Glaucius, Matthias, and other early Christian leaders. May have also had knowledge of Dositheos and others associated with Simon Magus, or Gnosticism in Samaria. He is associated with Sethian works by Theodotus, and Clement. Thought to have had knowledge of both mystical and Hellenistic philosophy. (See also; ''The Other Bible,'' by Barnstone, Harper, 1980; See also; ''Stromata.'' Mead's "Forgotten Faith.")

Candidus: A third century follower of Valentinus. He was known for his debates against Origen, circa 220, on issues of salvation, and the nature of free will.

Carpocrates: (100?-150 CE); Formed a sect in Alexandria known as Carpocrations. Possible successor to Samaritan Simon Magus. He taught reincarnation in his Gnostic philosophy. An individual had to live many lives and adsorb a full range of experiences before being able to return to God. They practiced free sexuality. They believed that Jesus was the son of Joseph. They questioned the docetic aspects attributed to Jesus. (See; "Sromata,'' Bk 3.) http://www.antinopolis.org/carpocrates.html 

Cassianus, Julius: A Christian teacher in Egypt, around 170. In ''Stromateis (III.13.91-92), is Clement's citation it is also to be noted that Julius Cassianus quotes from the apocryphal gospel so-called "According to the Egyptians" to support his understanding that intercourse is not from God--a position which he understood, though dubiously, was taught by the Saviour (apud Grant 1946: 52-53; cf. Aland 1978: 336): <Jesus said to Salome> "When you conceal the garment of shame, and when the two become one, and the male with the female is neither male nor female." He is said to have been associated with Encratites, and doceticism. http://www.dacb.org/stories/egypt/julius_cassianus.html

Charinus, Leucius: First century Gnostic said to be the student of St. John, and author of the five texts, ''Acts of Peter,'' "Acts of Philip," "Acts of Andrew," ''Acts of John,'' and "Acts of Thomas," written around 130 A.D. ( See: "Gnosticism," by Hoeller, Quest, (2002), Pages, 98, 99.)

Clement of Alexandria: (?-215 A.D.) Greek theologian, writer, and head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Clement succeeded his teacher Pantaenus about A.D. 190, and took over the direction of the school. Wrote "Stromata" in which he makes various assessments of others including Basilides, Plato, Valentinus, and Gnostic beliefs. Declared that the Gnostic seeks to become God. (See also;Clement's ''Instructor,'' which is more of an Orthodox work, compared to ''Stromata.'')http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/clement.htmlhttp://www.ntcanon.org/Clement.shtml

Colorbasus (Colarbasus): According to Irenaeus, a second century Gnostic and student of Valentinus. However, this may be a mistake and Colarbasus, is a term not a name. According to Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Tertullian, Colobasus, along with Marcus, another disciple of Valentinus, maintained the whole plenitude, and perfection of truth and religion, to be contained in the Greek alphabet; and that it was for this reason that Jesus was called the Alpha and Omega. ''Certain, adhering partly to these, as if having propounded great conclusions, and supposed things worthy of reason, have framed enormous and endless heresies; and one of these is Colarbasus, who attempts to explain religion by measures and numbers. And others there are (who act) in like manner, whose tenets we shall explain when we commence to speak of what concerns those who give heed to Pythagorean calculation as possible; and uttering vain prophecies, hastily assume as secure the philosophy by numbers and elements.'' (Hippolytus) ''Those of them, however, who are deemed more skillful than the persons who have just been mentioned, say that the first Ogdoad was not produced gradually, so that one AEon was sent forth by another, but that all the AEons were brought into existence at once by Propator and his Ennoea. He (Colorbasus) affirms this as confidently as if he had assisted at their birth. Accordingly, he and his followers maintain that Anthropos and Ecclesia were not produced, as others hold, from Logos and Zoe; but, on the contrary, Logos and Zoe from Anthropos and Ecclesia.'' (Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies,'' Bk. 1.)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colarbasians

Dositheos: Believed to be a founder of a sect of Samaritan Gnostics related to Naassenes-Mandaeans in the first century called, Dositheans. Dositheos, known also as Nathanael, was a teacher or contemporary of Simon Magus. Both were followers of John the Baptist, and became followers of Jesus. Dositheos is stated as the author of the "Three Steles of Seth." See; (NHL p. 396.) http://essenes.net/Dosithean.html

Epiphanes: Son of Carpacrotes of Alexandria. Died at age 17. Clement stated that Epiphanes had been taught the way of the ''Monad.'' "But the followers of Carpocrates, and Epiphanes think wives should be common property.'' (See; Bk 3, of ''Stromata.'') His work ''Concerning Justice,'' can be read at; http://www.vinesbranch.com/view/?pageID=181476 http://www.gnosis.org/library/ephip.htm 

Epiphanius: (310-403) ''In 367 his reputation for asceticism and learning brought about his nomination as Bishop of Constantia (Salamis) the metropolis of the Island of Cyprus. He wrote against Origen and Gnostics. He identified the existence of the Gospel of Judas Iscariot,'' and ''Birth of Mary,'' {''Gospel of Mary''} which he says describes horrible and deadly things. (He admits to not having seen the Gnostic texts, but claims to know about them. ) He wrote in regard to an unidentified Gnostic Gospel.... ''Another Gospel (?) of similar tendency was that which was used by the nameless "Adversary of the Law, and the Prophets' {Gnostics} whom Augustine refutes, and from which the following is quoted. '' The Apostles having asked the Lord what they were to think about the Jewish prophets, who were thought in the past to have fortold his coming, he was troubled that they even yet had such thoughts, and answered: Ye have given up (let go) the living on who is before your eyes and talk idly of the dead." Epiphanius, also identifies the ''Apocalypse of Paul,'' as being a book written by Canites, or Cananites, (Canaanites) and used by Gnostics. Paul is quoted in the text to have been taken up to the level of the ''Third Heaven,'' which corresponds to the Nag Hammadi text. It does not correspond to the other ''Apocalypse of Paul,'' which fragments exist in Greek, Latin, and Coptic. The Canaanites were an ancient tribe that lived in the basic area that is Israel today. ( "The New Testament Apocrypha,'' James, Apocryphile Press, pages 19- 20, 525, 575.)http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13393b.htm ,
www.mustardseed.net/html/pecanaanites.html

Eusebius: ( 260-341 A. D.) Eusebius Pamphili, Bishop of Cæsarea in Palestine, known as the "Father of Church History." Known to have been counsel to Emperor Constantine who converted the Roman Empire to Christianity. Was an anti-Gnostic,who carried on the teachings of Irenaeus, and Hippolytus against heretics. ''At the opening of the Council of Nicæa Eusebius occupied the first seat on the right of the emperor, and delivered the inaugural address which was couched in a strain of thanksgiving to Almighty God on his, the emperor's behalf." (New Advent, Catholic Encyc., Online.)http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/eusebius.php

Glaucius: Glaucius and Mark, according to Papias, and Clement where employed in recording the records of Peter, in Alexandria, around 44 C. E. (See; Works of Henry Barclay Swete, 1835-1917.) Glaucius, according to Clement was ''Master of Basilides" and interpreter of Peter. (''Stromata, VII, Ch. XXVII.)http://www.meetingpoint.org/~swete/index.htm?head.html~henry

Hegesippus: (110- 180 C.E.) Considered a Palestinian Jew, who later converted to Christianity, but was anti-Gnostic. Under Pope Anicetus (155-166) he undertook a journey to compare Christian teachings in the Roman Empire. He wrote about these assessments in his books called "Memoirs" of which only fragments exist today. He was said to be a poor writer. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/hegesippus.html

Heracleon: A Valentinian Gnostic Sage, possibly from Sicily, who flourished around 120(?) A.D. He declared that, ''the orthodox church was dogmatic and like unourishing stagnant water.'' Origen and Clement preserved some of his commentary on the ''Gospel of John,'' and others of which some fragments still exist. (See; ''Fragments of Heracleon.'')http://www.sacred-texts.com/gno/fff/fff56.htm

Hippolytus: (180-230) 3rd Century Roman Christian leader who wrote "Philosophoumena," and other refutations against heresy much directed against Gnosticism. Known to have been associated with Tertullian in standing against some Gnostic beliefs. Hippolytus wrote ''The Refutation of All Heresies,'' where in Book 5, he discloses information about the Sethians, and Naassenes (See ; Iranaeus, See also; ''Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes,'' by Gaffney, Inner Traditions, 2004.)http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/hippolytus.html

Irenaeus: (120-202) Bishop of Lyons, who had much influence with Rome. Author of "Against Heresies" and a few other works. He was a main proponent against Gnosticism. His work. "Against Heresies" influenced the work of Tertullian and Hippolytus. He is responsible for a lot of the early formation of Orthodox Christianity. He advocated the four Gospel Canon. He claimed Apostolic succession, from having studied from Polycarp as a boy in Smyrna. He became the Bishop of Rome, around 180. He was dedicated to the further developed the epistemology of the proto-Orthodoxy. (See; ''The Early Church,'' Chadwick, Penquin, 1993. See also; New Advent, Online.) (SGG)http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08130b.htm 

Isidore: Son of Basilides, according to Hippolytus received special teaching from Matthias. He wrote trying to show that Greek philosophers borrowed from the Prophets. He also held that passions emanated from a part of the Soul.http://www.dacb.org/stories/egypt/isidore.html 

Jerome: (340-420) Prolific author. In his letter to Pammachius and Oceanus, he becomes a critic of Gnostics and Origen, although he is known to have studied the works of Valentinus, Marcion, Menander, and others. "On the ground taken by these persons we have no right to condemn Valentine, Marcion, or the Cataphrygians, or Manichaeus, none of whom are named by the council of Nicea, and yet there is no doubt that in time they were prior to it.'' http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08341a.htm

John the Baptist: (5 B.C. 33 A.D.) Jewish prophet who in the New Testament baptized and prepared the way for Jesus. He was executed by Herod Antipas at the behest of Herod's daughter Salome. According to Heracleon John was a Levite. His father was Zacharius who officiated as a Priest in the Jewish Temple. His mother was Elizabeth, sister or cousin of Mary mother to Jesus. Among his followers were Dositheos, Matthias, Simon Magus, John Zebedee and many other disciples and witnesses to Jesus. See; ''The Cave of John the Baptist,'' by Simon Gibson, Doubleday, 2004. Mandaeans believe John the Baptist, called Yahya in the Sidra d-Yahia (Book of John), was the last and greatest of the prophets. While Mandaeans agree that he baptized Jesus (Yeshu), they reject the latter as either a saviour or prophet. And they viewed John as the only true Messiah.http://www.answers.com/topic/john-the-baptist

Justin Martyr: (100-165 C.E.) From Asia Minor. Teacher of Tatian, student of Platonic philosophy, and a Christian apologist. Wrote "Dialogue with the Jew Tryphon." "He was certainly not a genius nor an original thinker." A true eclectic, he draws inspiration from different systems, especially from Stoicism and Platonism. Weizsäcker (Jahrbücher f. Protest. Theol., XII, 1867, 75. New Advent.) Is known to have tried to study from a Pythagorean teacher who turned him down because he did not know music.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm

Mani: (216- 276 CE) founder of the religion of Manicheanism. Believed to have written or had part in the "Manichean Psalms of Thomas." See also; Manichaeaenshttp://essenes.net/bnei3.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_(prophet)

Marcellina: (330-398 A.D.) The only sister of St. Ambrose of Milan. She was older than St. Ambrose, and was born most probably at Trier, where her father resided as "Praefectus Praetorio Galliarum." Mentioned to have led a Gnostic sect founded by Heracleon.http://www.catholic-forum.com/Saints/saintm2l.htm 

Marcion: (85-160 CE) Marcion was son of the Bishop of Sinope in Pontus, Asia Minor. He organized a series of Gnostic congregations in the eastern Mediterranean which survived into the 3rd century CE. He wrote a book called "Antitheses" which earned him excommunication by the Christian leaders of Rome. He wrote the "Gospel of Marcion," and rejected Jewish influence in Christianity. He rejected the institution of marriage. He believed that the 'Demiurge' arranged Jesus' persecution and crucifixion. But the death of Christ on the cross was only a hallucination, since Jesus did not have a physical body.http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/marcion.html 

Marcus: A student of Valentinus, and contemporary of Colorbasus, who devoted their attention to magical arts and the Pythagorean numbers. See ''Refutation of All Heresies,'' Book VI. by Hippolytus. http://www.gnosis.org/library/hyp_refut6.htm

Mariamne: Mariamne is one of the women known to have traveled with Jesus and his followers. She is also known as Mary Magdalene. According to the "Acts of Philip" by Leucius Charinus, Mariamne was Philip's sister. According to Church history Philip and Mariamne lived and taught the followers of Simon Magus, and Dositheos. They had all been followers of John the Baptist along with Jesus. The "Acts of Philip" reveal that Mariamne returned to Jerusalem. Her remains were found in Jerusalem in an ossuary inside the Jesus Family Tomb. One Nag Hammadi document is attributed to her teaching, the "Gospel of Mary."

Matthias: According to Clement of Alexandria, teachings of Matthias were used by Basilidians and perhaps other Gnostic groups. According to Hippolytus, Basilides and his son Isidore claimed to have learned from Matthias 'secret words,' which he had received in private teaching from the Saviour. A disciple called Matthias replaced Judas Iscariot in apostolic succession after the crucifixion of Jesus.
(He is the author of the text, "The Book of Thomas the Contender.'')http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm 

Menander: (?-80 A.D.) Follower of Simon Magus, associated with Saturnis (Saturninus), who taught in Syria and Antioch. (Hoeller p. 78-79.) According to Andrew Smith, he believed in the Kinetikos or creation of the body by Aeons and Archon powers. ("A Dictionary of Gnosticism")

Monoimus: (150-210) Student of Tatian. He is known for coining the usage of the word 'Monad' for use in the Christian Gnostic context. However the study of the Monad, certainly preceded him, as the Zoroastrians, Pythagoreans, and Hermetics used the technology of the Monad prior to Christianity, and was used by Sethians prior to Monoimus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoimus 

Montanus: Second Century founder of the Montanists, who held that the Holy Spirit was giving new revelations to the (his) Church. They made declarations against certain social practices, and practiced fasting, declared the sanctity of a single marriage. They were declared heretics by the 'Church' and rejected. It is doubtful that this sect could be considered Gnostic in terms of heresy that they were accused of by the Bishop of Rome. They were probably anti-Gnostic in spite of claims to the Holy Spirit. Tertullian is said to have joined this group in his later years. (See; Tertullian.)http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10521a.htm

Origen: (185- 254 C.E.) Born in Alexandria. He studied Greek philosophy with Ammonius, and others. He became a Christian under Clement. Some of his surviving work is considered somewhat Gnostic in its nature according to later western Christian leaders. Origen was declared heretical on the basis of his beliefs in the pre-existence of souls and his beliefs about apokatastasis. In 553 A.D the Chalcedonians anathematized him.http://www.iep.utm.edu/o/origen.htmhttp://www.earlychristianwritings.com/origen.html

Orosius, Paulus: (385-420 c.) Latin writer that opposed Origenists, and Gnostics, especially the Pricilliannists, who advocated that Jesus was ascetic in his nature. He sided with Augastine in declaring heretical works, and identified a book called ''Memoria of the Apostles,'' in which he identifies the parable of the ''sower.'' "A sower went forth to sow his seed, the sower was not good: asserting that had he been good he would not have been careless, nor cast his seed by the wayside or on stony places or unfilled ground: willing it to be understood that that this (the ruler of the world?) was the sower, who scattered the souls he had caught into various bodies as he pleased. In the same book much is said about moist things, and the principle of fire: he would have it understood that all good things happen in this world, not by the power of God, but by contrivance.'' ( "The New Testament Apocrypha,'' James, Apocryphile Press, page, 21.)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orosius

Pachomius: (290-346) Founded the Christian monastery around Nag Hammadi Egypt. He is known as the most probable person to have had the Nag Hammadi texts. Personal documents were found in the Nag Hammadi texts naming him. He is known to have met Basil of Caesaria, who studied Origen's work. He opposed Athanasius who took over as the Orthodox authority in Alexandria around 297, ending the reign of Origen there. Athanasius, is said to have organized the books of Bible before the Nicean influence of Eusebius. He opposed the Gnostics, and is known to have posted himself in front of the Nag Hammadi mountains, trying to find the Gnostic texts, he never found. (Encyclopedia Britannica) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachomius

Pantaenus: ( 1st c., date uncertain) Appointed to head the Christian Catechise School of Alexandria. According to Clement, he listened to those who knew the Apostles. Originally, the Alexandrian church was thought to be founded by Mark, Peter, Barnabus, and Glaucius. Known to have been a Stoic, and teacher of Clement. Pantaenus is known to have done missionary work as far east as Armenia. Claims to have discovered Eastern Christians in possession of a ''Gospel'' written in Hebrew by Matthew and presented to the Eastern group by Bartholomew.http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/pantaenus.htmlhttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11446b.htm

Papias: (70-164 C.E.) Papias had associations with Polycarp and with St. John himself, and known to have talked with Philip's daughters, and of "others who had seen the Lord." ( See; Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies,'' v.33.3) He is said to have been Bishop of Hierapolis, in Phrygia. Only fragments of his work have survived and they are called, "Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord." Papias is said to have claimed that the ''Gospel of Matthew.'' was written first, and Mark served as a scribe for Peter's work. Three fragments from Clement of Alexandria's work confirm this idea. (See; Clement's Fragments- Online. See also; Works of Henry Barchlay Swete, 1835-1917. See also; ''New Testament Apochrapha'' James, Apochrypile Press, 2004.)http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/synopt/ext/papias.htmhttp://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/papias.html

Polycarp: (69-155 A.D.) Thought to have been appointed Bishop of Smyrna by ''apostles,'' according to Eusebius' ''History of the Church.'' He wrote the "Epistle of St. Polycarp," or "Epistle to the Philippians," and was known to be in contact with Ignatius, and other noted early Christians. Is thought to have rejected the teachings of Marcion, but stated that, "For every one who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is antichrist; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is a devil, and whosoever perverteth the oracles of the Lord (to serve) his own lusts, and saith there is neither resurrection nor judgment, this man is a first-born of Satan." (New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia. See also; Irenaeus. See also; ''Epistle of St. Polycarp,'' "The Lost Books of the Bible,'' Eden, LB Press. 1926-01.)http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12219b.htm

Ptolemaeus: {Ptolemy} (160 A.D.) A student of Valentinus. He admitted there was a psychic nature to the body. See his "Letter to Flora,'' (''The Other Bible,'' Barnstone, Harper, 1984, p. 621.) (Hoeller, p. 90.)He was the most important of Valentinus' early disciples at Rome. He was the one who developed Valentinus' ideas into a consistent theological system. Ptolemy may be identical with the martyr of the same name. After Ptolemy converted a wealthy Roman woman to Christianity, her husband denounced him to the authorities. He was imprisoned about 160 AD and eventually executed. A description of his systematic theology is preserved by Irenaeus.http://essenes.net/valen10.html

Saturninus: (100-125 A.D.) An Antioch Gnostic philosopher noted for his strong dualism between God and Satan. Thought to have strong feelings toward ascetic views. A student of Menander who followed Simon Magus. (See; Simon Magus, by Mead, also, Hoeller p. 78-79.)

Simon Magus: (1st Century CE) From Samaria, he was thought to be one of the earliest Gnostics, and a follower of John the Baptist, and Dositheos. He is known to have been taught by Philip, according to "Acts." He was skilled in the arts of the Occult. He interpreted the Garden of Eden, exodus from Egypt, and the crossing of the Red Sea as allegories. He was rejected by Peter for his views on the Holy Spirit. (see Simony) Simon Magus offered the disciples of Jesus payment for the power to perform miracles. He formed the ancient Gnostic sect of Simonianism, and is thought to have influenced later secular forms of Gnosticism. Fragments of "Apophasis Megale" are thought to be writings of Simon preserved in the works of Hippolytus. Simon also wrote "The Four Quarters of the World," and "The Sermons of the Refuter." (Hoeller) (See; ''Jung and the Lost Gospels,'' by Hoeller, Theophysical Pub., 1989.)

Tatian: (110-180) Pupil of Justin Martyr and author of the "Diatessaron," and "Letter to the Greeks." Formed Gnostic sects in Syria called Encratites, meaning literally, 'Masters of Themselves.' Qualified the soul, as a special kind of Spirit. (''Letter to the Greeks.'') He was considered a heretic by Clement. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tatian-address.html (SGG) 

Tertullian: (160-230) Native of Carthage who joined literalist Christianity around 196, after becoming a lawyer in Rome. Before he became a Montanist in 207, he argued with Hippolytus against Gnosticism. However his work does not reflect a sound or advanced knowledge of any of the, Valentinian, or Sethian epistemologies. (See; Tertullian's, ''Treatise of the Soul.'') http://www.tertullian.org/

Theodotus: (active circa; 120) A student of Basilides, Valentinus, and Pantaenus in the Alexandrian lineage. Theodotus explains that passions are called spirits: " The passions that are in the soul are called spirits, not spirits of power, since in that case the man under the influence of passion would be a legion of demons; but they are so called in consequence of the impulse they communicate. For the soul itself, through modifications, taking on this and that other sort of qualities of wickedness, is said to receive spirits." ( See; Fragments of Theodotus, Kirby, Criddle.http://neonostalgia.com/xtian/Extracts_from_Theodotus.htmhttp://www.earlychristianwritings.com/theodotus.html

Theudas: (42 CE approx.) Theudas, meaning 'gift from God' declared himself a prophet and was executed while attempting to 'part the Jordan" for his followers. Years later Valentinus laid claim to some of his teaching. ( Ehrman, "Lost Christianities, pg 193, says Theudas was a disciple of Paul, this may not be true.. Smith in his "The Gnostics'' presents Theudas as a Valentinian teacher. )Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 20.97-98 ) Theudas is mentioned in the Second ''Apocalypse of James.'' http://www.livius.org/men-mh/messiah/messianic_claimants08.html 

Valentinus: (100-180 C.E.) Valentinus was born in Phrebonis in upper Egypt about 100 AD and educated in nearby Alexandria. There he became a disciple of the Christian teacher Theudas who had been a disciple of Saint Paul. He claimed that Theudas (See the Second ''Apocalypse of James) taught him secret wisdom that Paul had taught privately to his inner circle. Some believe he was the writer or had a part in the writing of the Gnostic "Gospel of the Truth," ''A Valentianian Exposition,'' and others. Also formed secular Gnostic groups who's written works are referred to as Valentinian. The '' A Valentinian Exposition,'' explains in part the use of the ''monad.'' (See; Sethian Monadology.)http://www.hermetic.com/sabazius/valentinus.htm 

References:

"The Nag Hammadi Library," by Robinson, Harper, 1997.

"Simon Magus," by G.R.S. Mead, NHL Archives.

"Fragments of a Faith Forgotten, by G.R.S. Mead, NHL Archives.

"Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes" by Mark Gaffney, Inner Traditions, 2004.

"Gnosticism" by Stephan Hoeller, Quest Books, 2002.

"Forbidden Faith," by Smoley, Harper S.F. 2006.

"The Gnostics," by Smith, Watkins Pub., 2008.

"A Dictionary of Gnosticism" by Smith, Theosophical Pub. 2009.

"Saunders Gnostic Glossary" by Tom Saunders, Private, 2004-2013.

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