Panarion

The Panarion (meaning 'chest of remedies' or 'arsenal of remedies against the poisons of heresy') is Epiphanius' most important work, written in Koine Greek beginning in 374 or 375 and completed within three years.

Organized into three books divided into seven volumes, it contains eighty sects arranged symbolically to correspond with wild animals or snakes.

The work begins with two proems—a table of contents and formal introduction—and concludes with 'De Fide,' a description of orthodox Catholic faith.

Each heresy is analyzed in four parts: its relationship to previously mentioned sects, a description of its beliefs, a lengthy refutation using scriptural arguments and logical reduction to absurdity, and a comparison to a repulsive animal.