Riemer Roukema

Valentinianism was one of the major Gnostic Christian movements. Founded by Valentinus (b. c. 100 CE – d. c. 165 CE) in the 2nd century, its influence spread widely within the Roman Empire, from northwest Africa to Egypt through to Asia Minor and Syria in the east. Later in the movement's history, it broke into Eastern and Western schools. The Valentinian movement remained active until the 4th century, declining after Emperor Theodosius I issued the Edict of Thessalonica in 380, which establishe…