"Mani, the Prophet?" or "Is Islam Manichaenism Revisited?"

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Holy Blood, Holy Grail Illustrated Edition (Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh)

Quite a number of sources suggest concrete ties between Mani and Basilides-Basilides (said to have taught at Alexandria, Egypt from 117 to 138 AD) as a predecessor of Mani. Mani, Mohammed and Basilides are said to have common views related to Jesus Christ. Interestingly enough, some sources suggest that Basilides's and Valentenus links back to none other than Simon Magus.

Valentinus (also spelled Valentinius; c.100 – c.160) was the best known and for a time most successful early Christian gnostic theologian. He founded his school in Rome. According to Tertullian, Valentinus was a candidate for bishop of Rome but started his own group when another was chosen.

It might be worth noting that while Valentinus was a candidate for "bishop of Rome", Rome didn't not adopt Christianity officially until the time of Constantine. This is not to discreted anyone's beliefs. Simply, the historical record seems worthy of review.