Hippolytus of Rome was one of the most prominent 3rd-century theologians in the Christian Church in Rome. He was born in 170 C.E. and died in 235 C.E. in Sardinia. Even though the exact place of his birth is unknown, it can be inferred that he was indeed probably born in Rome or is of Eastern descent. Hippolytus became a member of the Roman clergy and became a notable writer for the church. He was extremely talented in writing and learning, which won over the church easily. His intellect was known to exceed that of the bishops, who he refuted and showed no mercy. He was one of the last Christian authors in Rome to write in Greek. He was often considered to be a student of Saint Irenaeus in Gaul since they both were passionate in heresy or difference of opinions. Especially since he wrote Kata pason haireseon elenkhos or The Refutation of all Heresies, it is regarded to as one of his chief works. The work consists of ten books in total. Books one through four describe the Greek philosophy, religion, and the variety of Gnosticism systems that arose from these pagan sources. In his last book he even provides a history of the Jewish chronology and explains orthodox Christian faith. Gnosticism was the important unorthodox movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the demiurge, and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric knowledge (gnosis) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit. He discouraged the easing of the penitential system which he thought was brought by the increase of pagan converts into the Church (New Catholic Encyclopedia).
             Hippolytus was an intellectual because he sought out heresies through enlightening himself. He focused on the Greco-Roman philosophers, magicians, astronomical tellers, and the 'mystery religion.' His studies of astronomy and astrolo...