Erenaeus's Invective Against the Gnostics

Erenaeus is remarkably prescient, describing in advance the sort of opulent metaphysical scheme espoused by the pagan philosopher Proclus several centuries later. He finds parallels between the Gnostics and the Hellenic schools. Their shameless behavior is reminiscent of the cynics. The number symbolism they associate with their principles sounds suspiciously Pythagorean,. Even Plato has been hijacked for their nefarious ends.