Abstract

The structure of De Principiis has intrigued scholars for many decades, due to its repetitions, digressions and irregularities, which have prevented them from attaining definite results, and though during the last century, studies of Origen's work have made significant progress, the lack of data regarding the context and purpose of his treatise have left room for different hypothesis. According to this paper, De principiis would basically structured by two successive cycles intended as an pedagogical path to offer the teaching of the Church to the intellectual ambience of Alexandria, that scorns fides simpliciores and is attracted by intellectual way of Gnostics. These successive developments of the same subject under different perspectives would not be the result of successive redactions, but rather a pedagogical plan designed by Origen.