ORIGEN

born c. 185, , probably Alexandria, Egypt died c. 254, , Tyre, Phoenicia [now Sur, Lebanon] Latin in full Oregenes Adamantius the most important theologian and biblical scholar of the early Greek church. His greatest work is the Hexapla, which is a synopsis of six versions of the Old Testament. Additional reading Jean Danilou, Origen (1955), is the best biography; it is complemented by Henri Crouzel, Origen (1989). Charles Bigg, The Christian Platonists of Alexandria (1886, reprinted 1981), is a sensitive and profound study of Origen's thought; see also Joseph Wilson Trigg, Origen (1983). Henry Chadwick, Early Christian Thought and the Classical Tradition: Studies in Justin, Clement, and Origen (1966, reissued 1984), explores Origen's critique of Greek philosophical ideas. R.P.C. Hanson, Allegory and Event (1959), provides the best study of Origen's biblical interpretation. Charles Kannengiesser and William L. Petersen (eds.), Origen of Alexandria: His World and His Legacy (1988), is a collection of colloquy papers.