Women, Gender, and Gnosis In Gnostic Texts and Traditions

Abstract

Abstract Female characters figure so prominently in gnostic texts and traditions that many have asked whether women played similarly significant roles in ancient gnostic communities. Unfortunately, the relation between the mythic worlds of Sophia, Barbelo, Eve, and Norea and the social worlds of real “gnostic” women is not clear, and the task of reconstructing the social roles of women in “gnosticism” remains one of the most challenging in the study of ancient Mediterranean religions. Difficulties arise in part from the problem of defining “gnosticism” and related terms, but even more serious problems of evaluation, interpretation, and analysis face those who would evaluate, interpret, and analyze the evidence for this complex and esoteric religious phenomenon of the ancient world.

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