[89]. Giraud, Ophitae, c. 4, § 65, p. 89. The question really depends upon Hippolytus’ sources, as to which see last chapter, pp. 11, 12. Cf. De Faye, Introduction, etc., p. 41. Hippolytus’ Naassene author cannot be much earlier than 170 A.D. since he quotes from St John’s Gospel, and probably later than the work of Irenaeus written in 180-185. Yet the Ophite system described by Irenaeus is evidently not a primitive one and has been added to by his Latin translator. See n. 3, p. 47, infra.
[90]. Irenaeus, Bk I. c. 27, § 1, p. 226, Harvey, says that the Ophites are the same as the Sethians; Hippolytus, op. cit. Bk V. c. 11, p. 184, Cruice, that they are connected with the Peratae, the Sethians, and the system of Justinus. Epiphanius, Haer. XXXVII. c. 1, p. 494, Oehler, while deriving them from Nicolaus the Deacon, gives them a common origin with those whom he calls Gnostics simply, and identifies these last with the Borboriani, Coddiani, Stratiotici, Phibionitae, Zacchaei, and Barbelitae (see Haer. XXVI. c. 3).
[91]. Hippolytus, op. cit. Bk V. c. 11, p. 184, Cruice.
[92]. ἑαυτοὺς γνωστικοὺς ὀνομάζοντες. Hippolytus, loc. cit. Eusebius, H. E. Bk IV. c. 7, says that Carpocrates was the father of the heresy of the Gnostics and contemporary with Basilides.
[93]. Epiphanius, Haer. XXVI. c. 7, pp. 174, 176, Oehler.
[94]. Tertullian, de Praescript. Haer. c. XLII.
[95]. Josephus, Antiq. Bk XII. c. 3.
[96]. Ramsay, Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia, II. pp. 667 sqq.; St Paul, pp. 142 sqq.; Commentary on Galatians, pp. 189 sqq. The fact that Timothy, the son of the Jewess Eunice by a Greek father, was not circumcised (see Acts xvi. 1) is quoted in support.
[97]. E.g. the Montanist, the most formidable of the heresies which attacked the primitive Church, apart from Gnosticism. Cf. also Galatians i. 6.
[98]. Mahaffy, Greek World under Roman Sway, p. 168. For the tyranny of the Armenians, see Plutarch, Lucullus, cc. XIV., XXI.