AMBROSE, of Alexandria, lived in the beginning of the third century, and was the intimate friend of Origen. Jerome and Eusebius differ in the account they give of this man. The one denominates him a Marcionite, the other a Valentinian; but they both agree that he was converted to the orthodox faith by the preaching of Origen. As is generally the case with new proselytes, he became very zealous, and was appointed deacon either at Alexandria, or at Cæsarea, where Protectetus was presbyter. Origen dedicated many of his works, and among others his book on martyrdom, to Ambrose, at whose desire and expense they were published. Origen and Ambrose were alike indefatigable in their application to study, and lived on terms of the most intimate friendship. Origen being poor, Ambrose assisted him, by providing notaries and amanuenses to copy his works. In that period of society, when the increase of copies was a work of immense labour and great expense, these were not only instances of private friendship, but of public utility. Ambrose is thus justly entitled to rank among the patrons of learning. He has been blamed by some for having made no provision at his death for the poor infirm Origen. His friends plead in defence of his conduct, that Origen chose to live poor, and daily dependent on a divine Providence. According to some historians, Ambrose died a martyr, along with his friend Protectetus, in the persecution under Maximin, about the year 236; but the dedication of Origen's eight books against Celsus proves, that though he died before Origen, yet he lived to the year 250, or near that period. Origen speaks of him as a man of sincere piety, and much devoted to the study of the sacred Scriptures.