Early Christian Lives (Paperback)

Monks are hardly famed for living the most exciting lives. But in the days of the early Church, amid a climate of harsh persecution from rulers and religious opponents, they were among the most innovative and radical of their generation. One monk, Ammon, took a mutual vow of celibacy with his wife that lasted 18 years, after which he retreated to a community of monks, visiting her just twice a year. The tales recounted here by near contemporaries of these first saints are often compelling, always fascinating and highly enlightening. (Kirkus UK)

These pioneering Lives are central sources for the major Christian monastic figures from St Antony, who died in 356, to St Benedict (c. 480-547). They also shed light on the beliefs and values of their celebrated authors. Athanasius' Life of Antony reveals the man who many believe was the first to set out into the Egyptian desert to pursue the path of poverty, abstinence and solitary prayer. St Jerome fought for the cause of chastity and asceticism in writing about Paul of Thebes, Hilarion and Malchus, while in his Life of Martin Sulpicius Severus described the achievements of a man who combined the roles of monk, bishop and missionary. Almost two hundred years later, Pope Gregory the Great in his Dialogues focused above all on St Benedict, whose Rule became the template for every subsequent form of monasticism. Full of vivid incidents and astonishing miracles, all these works proved hugely popular and influential and also inspired much of the visual imagery of the Middle Ages.

General

Imprint:	Penguin Classics
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	1998
First published:	July 1998
Authors:	Athanasius • Gregory • "Hilarion" • Jerome • Sulpicius Severus
Introduction by:	Carolinne White
Dimensions:	196 x 127 x 17mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - B-format
Pages:	219
ISBN-13:	978-0-14-043526-9
Languages:	English
Subtitles:	Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Literature: texts > Essays, journals, letters & other prose works > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Early Church Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian theology > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian theology > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Early Church Books > Christianity > Christian theology Books > Christianity > Early Church
LSN:	0-14-043526-3
Barcode:	9780140435269

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