Abstract
The extraordinary role that the Platonic-Socratic thought plays in Clement of Alexandria is clear already from a quick look at the indices of the editions of Stählin and Treu, which are far from complete. In this contribution, one of the most controversial documents is discussed as an emblematic case: fr. 23 Stählin of the Hypotyposeis. In the light of an in-depth analysis of the text handed down to us by Photius, the system of thought of the key dialogue Timaeus clearly emerges as a point of reference for Clementine reflections, which will soon be perceived as irritating in ‘orthodox’ circles. Read in this way, the fragment constitutes an impressive testimony to the ways in which Clement - as Origen later did - used philosophical means of thought with the aim of filling any gaps in the biblical-ecclesiastical tradition and offering an explanation of the world that could be convincing for the intellectuals of his time, Christian or not.
Riedweg, Christoph