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THE CULT OF ASCETICISM & RENUNCIATION
of worldly life. That numerous order of devout fanatics was held together by “the Angelic rules of disciplinc" framed by the founder.
The populous and once prosperous cities of the lower Nile were often crowded with thousands of males and females belonging to the monastic profession. Since the temples could not accomodate the credulous crowd of devotees, public edifices and even the city walls were used as pulpits and places of worship. According to the historian Rufinus, once upon a time half the entire population of Egypt had taken to the holy life of asceticism either as recluses in the solitude, or under the
Angelic discipline" of monasticism. Gibbon writes that in those days “in Egypt it was less difficult to find a God than a man”.
The knowledge and the practice of the holy life of asceticism were introduced into Rome by Athanasius. The disciples of Anthony founded a settlement in the “capital of the world”. Gibbon writes: “The strange and savage appearance of these Egyptians excited, at first, horror and contempt, and, at length, applause and jealous imitation. The Senators, and more specially the matrons, transformed their palaces and villas into religious houses.” The apparent homage to the new institution of piety and devotion was rather an interest for a novelty which amused the jaded life of idleness and luxury, than a sign of spiritual fervour. Fear also played its role to enshrine the new super
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