Editing Clement of Alexandria (section)

== Biography ==
Neither Clement's birthdate or birthplace is known with any degree of certainty. It is speculated that he was born sometime around 150 AD. According to [[Epiphanius of Salamis]], he was born in Athens, but there is also a tradition of an [[Alexandria]]n birth.<ref name="Fer1974-13">{{harvp|Ferguson|1974|p=13}}</ref>{{sfnp|Westcott|1877|p=560}}

His parents were [[paganism|pagans]] and Clement was a convert to Christianity. In the ''[[Protrepticus (Clement)|Protrepticus]]'' he displays an extensive knowledge of Greek religion and [[Greco-Roman mysteries|mystery religions]], which could have arisen only from the practice of his family's religion.<ref name="Fer1974-13" />

Having rejected paganism as a young man due to its perceived moral corruption, he travelled in [[Greece]], [[Asia Minor]], [[Syria Palaestina|Palestine]], and [[Egypt]]. Clement's journeys were primarily a religious undertaking. In Greece, he encountered an [[Ionia]]n theologian, who has been identified as [[Athenagoras of Athens]]; while in the east, he was taught by an Assyrian, sometimes identified with [[Tatian]], and a Jew, possibly [[Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea|Theophilus of Caesarea]].<ref name="Fer1974-14">{{harvp|Ferguson|1974|p=14}}</ref>

In around 180 AD, Clement reached [[Alexandria]],<ref>''Stromateis'' 1.1.11.2</ref> where he met [[Pantaenus]], who taught at the [[Catechetical School of Alexandria]].<ref>Eusebius, ''Eccl. Hist''. 6.13.2; 6.6.1</ref> [[Eusebius]] suggests that Pantaenus was the head of the school, but controversy exists about whether the institutions of the school were formalized in this way before the time of [[Origen]].<ref name=Fer1974-15>{{harvp|Ferguson|1974|p=15}}</ref>{{sfnp|Hägg|2006|pp=56–9}}{{NoteTag|Proponents of a formalized leadership and succession suggest that Clement succeeded Pantaenus as leader of the school, and was succeeded himself by Origen.{{sfnp|Itter|2009|pp=9–10}}}}{{sfnp|Osborn|2008|pp=19–24}} Clement studied under Pantaenus, and was ordained to the priesthood by [[Pope Julian of Alexandria|Pope Julian]] before 189. Otherwise, virtually nothing is known of Clement's personal life in Alexandria. He may have been married, a conjecture supported by his writings.<ref name="Fer1974166">{{harvp|Ferguson|1974|p=16}}</ref>

During the [[Septimius Severus#Persecution of Christians|Severian persecution]] of 202–203, Clement left Alexandria. In 211, [[Alexander of Jerusalem]] wrote a letter commending him to the Church of [[Antioch]],<ref>Eusebius, ''Eccl. Hist''. 6.14.8</ref> which may imply that Clement was living in [[Cappadocia]] or Jerusalem at that time. He died {{circa|215 AD}} at an unknown location.