Epiphanius of Salamis / Panarion (c. 374-377)
playerOccult & Esoteric
A lot of what we 'know' about a scandalous ancient sect comes from one hostile bishop who was out to smear them.
Who they are
Epiphanius of Salamis, a 4th-century bishop and heresy-hunter who wrote the Panarion ('Medicine Chest') around 374-377.
What they do
His book cataloged 80 'heresies,' and Section 26 covers the Borborites/Phibionites — the very sect that a modern writer, Hillman, wrongly claims was the real original Christianity.
How it works
Scholars generally read Epiphanius's account as exaggerated, hostile propaganda about a sect that really existed but was small and fringe.
Why it matters
It matters because it's a caution about sources: a lurid claim about early Christianity traces back to a biased heresy-hunter, not a neutral record.
The engine's record — word for word
Report #77. 4th-c. bishop + heresiologist. Panarion (Medicine Chest) cataloged 80 heresies. Section 26 on Borborites/Phibionites — the specific antinomian Gnostic sect Hillman wrongly claims was authentic-original Christianity. Scholarly consensus treats Epiphanius's account as heresy-hunter exaggerated polemic about a real but marginal sect.
Follow the trail
Walk this on the live map →