New "Deep Dive" Podcast Episode 14: Was There a Collection of Letters at the End of the Original Stromateis? (Part One)

Podcast 14 

Summary 

The text discusses the origins of "To Theodore," a text believed to be a lost work by Clement of Alexandria, and examines the manuscript history of Stromateis, a major work by Clement. The author argues that "To Theodore" may be a lost eighth book of Stromateis, citing references to Clement's letters in ancient texts. The author also examines the manuscript tradition of Stromateis, highlighting the existence of different versions of the eighth book, and suggesting that the currently accepted eighth book may be a later addition. The text then discusses a passage from a ninth-century manuscript, which appears to quote from a lost version of Stromateis, further complicating the manuscript history and supporting the argument for a lost eighth book of Clement’s work.

Clement of Alexandria's Letters and the Stromateis 

The sources provided explore the possibility that letters written by Clement of Alexandria may have constituted the original ending of his work, the Stromateis. While the exact nature of this relationship remains uncertain, the sources offer compelling evidence to suggest a strong connection between these letters and Clement's larger body of work. 

● The Sacra Parallela, a collection of writings from the Church Fathers, consistently refers to Clement as "Clement the Stromatist". This title, according to scholar Stephan Huller, suggests a strong association between Clement and the Stromateis, implying that any letters attributed to him were likely understood in relation to this work. 

● Furthermore, the Sacra Parallela quotes material from a "letter of Clement from the Stromateis". This suggests that at least one of Clement's letters circulated with or was considered part of the Stromateis. 

● Adding to the intrigue, the traditional ending of the Stromateis (what is now considered the Eighth Book) is believed by scholars to be a repurposed treatise by Galen, not Clement. This is supported by early Church historians like Eusebius of Caesarea. 

● Interestingly, Eusebius mentions an eight-book version of the Stromateis circulating during his time, hinting at the possibility of a different ending. 

● Further evidence for an alternative ending comes from Photius of Byzantium, who references two different conclusions to the Stromateis. One edition ends with Who is the Rich Man Who Will Be Saved, while another has the "Caesarean" ending (likely the Galen treatise). 

● The existence of these alternate endings suggests that the original conclusion of the Stromateis was lost or replaced at some point. The sources propose that Clement's letters, potentially compiled as the Eighth Book, might have formed this original ending. 

● Strengthening this hypothesis, a 9th-century manuscript (Paris 932) contains passages from a version of Who is the Rich Man Who Will Be Saved attributed to Clement, which are explicitly labeled as coming from a letter. This further blurs the lines between Clement's letters and the Stromateis, suggesting a fluid relationship between these texts. 

● The manuscript also contains other Clementine fragments attributed to letters, further supporting the idea of a collection of letters potentially forming a part of the Stromateis. 

In conclusion, while the sources do not definitively prove that Clement's letters were the original ending of the Stromateis, they provide strong evidence to suggest a close connection. 

These findings suggest a need to reconsider the traditional structure of the Stromateis and highlight the importance of Clement's letters in understanding his broader theological thought. Analyzing the content and themes of both the letters and the Stromateis could provide further insights into Clement's ideas and their development.