The Platonist philosopher Alexander of Lycopolis on Manichaeism

Abstract

The article starts by describing the present state of research on Alexander of Lycopolis (Egypt), who formerly was considered to be a Christian bishop converted from Manichaeism to orthodox Christianity, but now is generally regarded as a pagan philosopher. After the main contents of his treatise ‘Against the Doctrines of Mani’ have been outlined, the focus is first on Alexander’s unique description of Manichaeism as a form of Christianity and after that on Alexander’s own philosophical position.