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Alexander of Lycopolis

LYKOPOLIS (Ancient city) EGYPT
The writer of a short treatise, in twenty-six chapters, against the Manich?ans (PG., XVIII, 409-448). He must have flourished early in the fourth century, as he says in the second chapter of this work that he derived his knowledge of Manes' teaching apo ton gnorimon (from the man's friend). Despite its brevity and occasional obscurity, the work is valuable as a specimen of Greek analytical genius in the service of Christian theology, "a calm but vigorous protest of the trained scientific intellect against the vague dogmatism of the Oriental theosophies". It has been questioned whether Alexander was a Christian when he wrote this work, or ever became one afterwards. Photius says (Contra Manich?os, i, 11) that he was Bishop of Lycopolis (in the Egyptian Thebaid), but Bardenhewer opines (Patrologie, 234) that he was a pagan and a platonist.

The Catholic Encyclopedia (1908)
• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01299a.htm

Alexander Lycopolites (Alexandros Lukopolites), was so called from Lycopolis, in Egypt, whether as born there, or because he was bishop there, is uncertain. At first a pagan, he was next instructed in Manicheeism by persons acquainted with Manes himself. Converted to the faith, he wrote a confutation of the heresy (Tractatus de Placitis Manichacorum) in Greek, which was first published by Combefis, with a Latin version, in the Auetarium Norissimam Bibl. He was bishop of Lycopolis and probably immediately preceded Meletius.

A dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology (ed. William Smith)
• http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Per...