The library · Edition and sources
Irenaeus: Against Heresies, Books I–V
ANF historical edition · Translated text
Against Heresies: Book II — Chapter XIV.—Valentinus and his followers derived the principles of their system from the heathen; the names only are changed. (part 2)
devised. For they themselves detract from [the dignity of] their Æons by a multitude of names of this sort. They give out names plausible and credible to the heathen, [as being similar] to those who are called their twelve gods, Edition note 1 and even these they will have to be images of their twelve Æons. But the images [so called] can produce names [of their own] much more seemly, and more powerful through their etymology to indicate divinity [than are those of their fancied prototypes].
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