Page:The Classical Heritage of the Middle Ages.djvu/165

vn] ORIGINS OP MONASTICISM 147 ascetic and scholastic association existed near Alexan- dria under the leadership of pupils of Origen.^ But already Anthony, the archetype of anchorites, has fled to the desert of the Thebaid.* Even this man, im- passioned for isolation, was soon surrounded by those who yearned to emulate his example. The desert became full of solitaries, who nevertheless, as they withdrew from society, tended to draw together for helpfulness or edification. Anthony was the marvellous devil-fighting recluse. A communal life was not to his taste, nor did its regu- lation lie within his genius. He was originative only as an example, and formulated no monastic rule. Such was to come from his younger contemporary Pacho- mius (285-345 a.d.), who dwelt in upper Egypt, and began his ascetic life as a member of a Serapis com- munity of recluses. Afterward he became a Christian and the imitator of a mighty ascetic named Palaemon. After seven years of discipleship he departed to another place, where there came to him a vision commanding him to serve the human race and unite them to God. Disciples soon gathered to live under his direction. This was at Tabenna, on the right bank of the Nile, opposite Denderah. Pachomius ordered his growing community, and prescribed a regula for the life of its members. They increased in numbers, and groups of brethren went forth to found other monasteries, the members of which also lived under his direction. 1 See Zockler, op. d/., pp. 176-178. s The majority of scholan regard the Vita Antonii ascribed to Athanasiiui as genuine. See, generally, Ziickler, op. cit., pp. 183- 192. Anthony died in the year 366, at the alleged age of lOB years.