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Allogenes

Allogenes is a Sethian Gnostic text describing the heavenly ascent of Allogenes (the Stranger) and his vision of the supreme God, with strong Neoplatonic influence.|||Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex XI and Codex Tchacos.|||Composed in the 3rd century CE. Mentioned by Porphyry in his Life of Plotinus as a text refuted by Plotinus.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Sethian Gnostic in orientation, with close ties to Neoplatonism.|||Describes the heavenly ascent of Allogenes and his vision of the supreme God. Important for understanding the relationship between Gnosticism and Neoplatonism and the development of mystical theology.|||Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Turner, J. D. " Allogenes." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.|||Turner, J. D. Sethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition. Peeters, 2001.|||Allogenes — Gnostic Society|https://gnosis.org/naghamm/allogenes.html|Full translation with introduction.;; Early Christian Writings — Allogenes|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/allogenes.html|Indexed text and scholarly resources.|||" I saw the One who is the source of all things, the incomprehensible One." — Allogenes (paraphrase)

Collection: Gnostic Literature Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Sethian Gnostic in orientation, with close ties to Neoplatonism.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the 3rd century CE. Mentioned by Porphyry in his Life of Plotinus as a text refuted by Plotinus.

Language & Manuscripts

Coptic text in Nag Hammadi Codex XI and Codex Tchacos.

Why It Matters for Study

Describes the heavenly ascent of Allogenes and his vision of the supreme God. Important for understanding the relationship between Gnosticism and Neoplatonism and the development of mystical theology.

" I saw the One who is the source of all things, the incomprehensible One." — Allogenes (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Robinson, J. M., ed. The Nag Hammadi Library in English. Harper & Row, 1988.
Turner, J. D. " Allogenes." In The Nag Hammadi Library in English.
Turner, J. D. Sethian Gnosticism and the Platonic Tradition. Peeters, 2001.