# Basilides

> 2nd century Christian Gnostic religious teacher based in Alexandria

**Wikidata**: [Q345277](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q345277)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilides)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/basilides

## Summary
Basilides was a 2nd-century Christian Gnostic religious teacher and theologian based in Alexandria, Egypt. He is best known as the founder of the Basilideans, a Gnostic sect that followed his teachings, and for the lost text *Gospel of Basilides*, which circulated among his followers.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 110 CE (estimated)
- **Died**: c. 130 CE (estimated)
- **Nationality**: Roman Egypt (Alexandria)
- **Occupation**: Theologian, religious teacher
- **Known for**: Founding the Basilidean Gnostic sect and authoring the *Gospel of Basilides*
- **Field(s)**: Christian Gnosticism, theology

## Contributions
Basilides is credited with establishing the Basilidean sect, a Gnostic Christian movement that flourished in the 2nd century. His most significant work, the *Gospel of Basilides*, was a foundational text for his followers, though it is now lost. His teachings influenced early Christian Gnostic thought, particularly in Alexandria, and his ideas were referenced by later Christian writers, including Irenaeus and Hippolytus of Rome.

## FAQs
**Who was Basilides?**
Basilides was a 2nd-century Christian Gnostic teacher and theologian from Alexandria, Egypt, known for founding the Basilidean sect and authoring the *Gospel of Basilides*.

**What was the Basilidean sect?**
The Basilideans were a Gnostic Christian group founded by Basilides in the 2nd century. They followed his teachings, which emphasized esoteric knowledge (gnosis) and a distinct cosmology.

**What is the *Gospel of Basilides*?**
The *Gospel of Basilides* was a lost text attributed to Basilides that circulated among his followers. It is referenced in early Christian writings but no longer exists in its original form.

**When did Basilides live?**
Basilides lived approximately between 110 CE and 130 CE, during the early Christian era in Roman Egypt.

## Why They Matter
Basilides played a crucial role in the development of early Christian Gnosticism, particularly in Alexandria, a major center of religious and philosophical thought. His teachings and the Basilidean sect contributed to the diversity of early Christian beliefs, challenging mainstream Christian doctrine with alternative interpretations of salvation, cosmology, and divine knowledge. Without his influence, the landscape of early Christian Gnosticism would have been significantly different, and later Christian writers would have lacked a key reference point for understanding Gnostic thought.

## Notable For
- Founding the Basilidean Gnostic sect in the 2nd century.
- Authoring the *Gospel of Basilides*, a foundational text for his followers.
- Being one of the earliest and most prominent Christian Gnostic teachers in Alexandria.
- Influencing later Christian writers and theologians through his teachings.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Basilides was born around 110 CE in Alexandria, Egypt, a major intellectual and cultural hub of the Roman Empire. Little is known about his early life or education, but his later work suggests a deep engagement with both Christian and Gnostic thought.

### Career and Teachings
Basilides emerged as a prominent religious teacher in the 2nd century, blending Christian theology with Gnostic ideas. He founded the Basilidean sect, which became one of the most notable Gnostic groups of the time. His teachings emphasized the importance of esoteric knowledge (gnosis) for salvation and proposed a complex cosmology that differed from mainstream Christian beliefs.

### The *Gospel of Basilides*
One of Basilides' most significant contributions was the *Gospel of Basilides*, a text that circulated among his followers. Though the original text is lost, it is referenced in the writings of early Christian authors such as Irenaeus and Hippolytus of Rome, who critiqued its teachings. The gospel likely contained unique interpretations of Christian doctrine, reflecting Basilides' Gnostic worldview.

### Influence and Legacy
Basilides' ideas had a lasting impact on early Christian Gnosticism, particularly in Alexandria. His teachings were debated and referenced by later Christian writers, who often opposed his views but acknowledged their significance. The Basilidean sect continued to exist for some time after his death, contributing to the broader diversity of early Christian thought.

### Death and Posthumous Recognition
Basilides is believed to have died around 130 CE. Despite the eventual decline of the Basilidean sect, his influence persisted in the writings of early Christian theologians and historians. His work remains a key reference point for understanding the development of Gnostic Christianity in the 2nd century.

## References

1. Source
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Trove
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. CERL Thesaurus
6. Enciclopedia Treccani
7. Treccani Philosophy