Ambrose and Origen’s Students

At this time Ambrose, who held the views of the heresy of Valentinus, was refuted by the truth that Origen championed. As if his mind had been lit up by a light, he gave himself to the teaching of the Church’s orthodoxy. [a] Many other educated men, too, as Origen’s fame resounded everywhere, came to him to test the man’s ability in the sacred words. Countless heretics, and not a few of the most distinguished philosophers, listened to him eagerly, and were taught by him, one might almost say, not only divine things but the outside philosophy as well. For he introduced to the philosophical studies too all those he saw to be naturally gifted. He taught them geometry, arithmetic and the other preliminary subjects, and led them on to the schools of the philosophers, explaining their writings and commenting on and examining each one, so that the man was proclaimed a great philosopher even among the Greeks themselves. [b] Many of the less educated he led into the general studies, saying that from them they would gain no small fitness for the contemplation of the divine Scriptures and preparation for them. That is why he thought training in worldly and philosophical learning especially necessary for himself. [c]