Basilideans

A Gnostic sect, founded by Basilides of Alexandria, that existed in the 2nd century. His followers claimed to have received their esoteric doctrines from Claucias, an apostle of Saint Peter. The Basilideans recognized Abraxas as their supreme being.

His system had three great degrees: material, intellectual, and spiritual, through which the initiates progressed. In addition, they had two allegorical statues, a man and a woman. Many points of his doctrine share similarities with that of the Ophites and with the Jewish Kabbalah.