a branch of the ancient Gnostics, so called from Carpcrates, who in the second century revived the errors of Simon Magus, Menander, Saturninus, and other Gnostics. He owned with them one sole principle and author of all things, whose name as well as nature was unknown. He maintained that the world was created by angels; and he opposed the divinity of Christ—representing him as a mere man, born of Joseph and Mary in the ordinary course of nature, though possessed of uncommon gifts, which set him above other creatures. He inculcated a community of women; and not only gave his disciples license to sin, but imposed on them the necessity of sinning; for he taught that the soul could not be saved till it had committed all kinds of abominations.