a sect of heretics in the second century, so called from their respect for Cain. They pretended that the virtue which produced Abel was of an order inferior to that which had produced Cain, and that this was the reason why Cain overcame Abel; for they admitted a great number of genii, or virtues, of different ranks and orders. They honoured those who carry in Scripture the most visible marks of reprobation, as Esau, Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the inhabitants of Sodom. They particularly venerated the traitor Judas, on the ground that the death of Christ had saved mankind. They had also a forged gospel of Judas.