Clement of Alexandria (~150-~215) was one of the early Fathers of the
Catholic Church, one among many
Greek luminaries of the early
religion. He was born in Athens, and converted to
Christianity early in his life. Going on a journey from his native town, he sought instruction from
Pantaenus, head of the
Catechetical School of Alexandria. Before settling with his final tutor, he attached himself to various other masters, including two Greeks, a
Syrian, an
Egyptian, and a converted
Palestinian Jew. The man sure
got around, where
faith was concerned.
The student, as all good ones do, eventually superceded the teacher, and Clement became the leader of the School in 190. His most significant work while there was Hortatory Discourse to the Greeks (Protreptikos pros Ellenas), an appeal for faith written in a lyrical strain. Other works include Outlines (Hypotyposeis), Miscellanies (Stromateis), and The Tutor (Paidagogos). He was well versed in Greek literature and philosophy, using it to his advantage in rhetorical argument. Some criticise his philosophy as tainted with Hellenism, and therefore not wholly orthodox to Catholic teachings.
The liberal atmosphere of Alexandria allowed the rhetorical instruction facility to continue to function, but in 202 increasing persecution forced Clement to leave the area. Sometime between 210 and 215 Clement died, leaving a legacy of philosophical Greek writing and a strong base of Christian faith in his wake.
Sources:
*Howatson M. C. The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature, 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989.
*The Catholic Encyclopedia - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/