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Sexuality and generation in Gnosticism have been variously analysed, with scant consideration for the role of medical theories. Following a different point of view, namely a "rationalist" one, this paper aims at interpreting them from a scientific perspective, i.e. according to ancient medicine, in order to shed some light on the peculiarities of Gnostic ideas and systems. Such approach will be here applied to the analysis of parthenogenesis in Gnostics and their opponents. After comparing the Valentinian view of Creation with the Aristotelic generation theory, which is supposed to inform it, this paper will focus first and foremost on the idea of "visual impregnation" in Gnostic cosmogony, also dealing with the fertilization by contemplation ; the use of the expression dia parthenou in Justin and Gnostic texts as well ; and, finally, with Tertullian's notion of a "pneumatic" fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]