Armstrong, A. H.
Plotinus, Enneads II (1966)
This and similar ideas are common to most kinds of Gnosticism : cp. Irenaeus Adv. Haer. I. 29 (a non-Valentinian system) and Clement of Alexandria, Strom. IV ch. 13, 89) (Valentinus).
This and similar ideas are common to most kinds of Gnosticism : cp. Irenaeus Adv. Haer. I. 29 (a non-Valentinian system) and Clement of Alexandria, Strom. IV ch. 13, 89) (Valentinus).
The cosmic spheres and the Archons who ruled them were for the Gnostics formidable barriers which tho soul had to pass on its journey upwards to its true home. To do so it was necessary…
I have translated ἐγωκότας in this way, following Harder and Cilento, as it seems clear that Plotinus is referring to the distinctive Gnostic claim to possess a gnosis, not, that is, just ordinary knowledge…
On the question of how far the charges of immorality brought against the Gnostics by their opponents were justified, see the discussion in Entretiens Hardt V, pp. 186-189.