Andra Wolgemuth: Understanding of the Feminine in Egyptian Culture and Clement of Alexandra's Paedagogus

In this paper we will look at the influence of Egyptian understandings of femininity in art and in culture that could have potentially been influential on Clement of Alexandria's use of 1 Peter 2:2 and his feminine metaphors in Paedagogus. We will discuss primary and secondary sources concerning Egyptian understandings of femininity and how this was expressed in religion, art and culture. We will analyze Clement of Alexandria's use and of his feminine metaphors in his work Paedagogus and see if comparison can be found. Finally we will briefly discuss the potential influence of Clement's use of feminine metaphor and Egyptian culture on other Fathers and the tradition of the church.