ENEA di GAZA. - At the end of the 11th century a new centre of artistic and intellectual culture had been formed at Gaza. E. (c. 450–534) carried on in this city, as a Christian philosopher, an activity comparable to that once carried on by Clemente and Origene in Alexandria.
Although a disciple of the Neoplatonic philosopher Ierocle, he clearly distinguished between Platonism and Christianity, affirming in his dialogue Teofresto the immateriality of the soul, denying its pre-existence, and combating the doctrine of the eternity of the world. It is significant that this work also seeks to explain the resurrection of bodies. Thus the Platonic form and language of his writing must not mislead us as to the fundamentally Christian character of his thought. Twenty-five of his short letters have also been preserved.