LIFE AND WRITINGS

Titus Flavius Clemens (St. Clement of Alexandria) was probably born in about 150 ce, though we know not where, nor who his parents were. His own works, and those of Eusebius, are the main sources for his life. His obscure and controverted account of his studies (Strom. 1.1, 11.2) seems to refer to six teachers: one ‘of Ionian origin’ in Greece, two in Magna Graecia, one from Coele-Syria (part of Lebanon) and one from Egypt; from ‘the East’, one Assyrian and one Palestinian Jew; and finally one in Egypt: ‘This was the last I encountered but the first in ability’ (1.1, 11.2). This comment implies that his narrative tracks his travels chronologically, whence we may infer that his education began in Greece (which may or may not have been his home) and ended in Alexandria.

Who were these teachers? Were they Christians or pagans? His knowledge of mystery religion suggests that he may have started his adult life as a pagan. The favourite teacher is probably Pantaenus, head of the Christian School in Alexandria. According to Eusebius, Pantaenus was a prominent thinker in Alexandria during the reign of Commodus (180–93 ce) having received a Stoic philosophical education. Allegedly Clement succeeded Pantaenus at the Catechetical School, although it remains unclear what post Clement held and for how long.