Clement of Alexandria

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–c. 215) was a Christian theologian and teacher, head of the catechetical school at Alexandria at the close of the second century. Probably born in Athens of pagan parents, he traveled widely in search of teachers before settling in Alexandria under Pantaenus, whom he succeeded; Origen was among his pupils. His three surviving major works, the Exhortation to the Heathen, The Instructor and the Stromata or Miscellanies, argue that Greek philosophy was a preparation for the Gospel and set out a Christian way of life for educated converts. He left Alexandria during the persecution of about 202 and died in Asia Minor.