Galenus Christianus? The Doctrine of Demonstration in Stromata VIII and the Question of its Source

Abstract

The article is a source-critical study of the doctrine of demonstration in the so-called eighth book of Stromata by Clement of Alexandria. After an overview of the doctrine, as presented in Str. VIII 3,1-15,1, it examines parallels in philosophical literature, especially in the writings of Galen. This examination brings to light correspondences (not all of which have been previously noted) whose number and proximity opens the question of the relation between Galen and the source of Stromata VIII. After considering three explanations to account for these similarities, the article proposes that Galen’s lost writing on demonstration could be Clement’s source.