Christina Kaas: Some Considerations on Construction and Schematization in Irenaeus of Lyon

The Adversus Haereses of Irenaeus represents one of the most important testimonies for the research of the so-called Gnostics. In recent years, the source value of the information presented by him has been the subject of controversial discussion.Against the background of this discussion, Irenaeus should be regarded as an independent ancient author who naturally pursues intentions and goals. The systematic examination of his working method, his rhetorical strategies, his composition of the source material available to him in Book I, as well as his use of polemics, may possibly provide new impulses for the evaluation of the source value of the information he presents.