In the fourth and fifth centuries, monasticism was becoming popular in the Mediterranean lands. Men and women in growing numbers withdrew and hoped that they would get nearer to God in solitude. At first, they went to the outskirts of the inhabited towns, then in their zeal for loneliness, they went farther away. Desert regions, especially, became their haunts. The rocks and caves gave them rude shelter. In such places, they had ample opportunity to practice the self-denial in which they believed, and the climate lent itself to their austerities without too great hardship. A reputation for saintliness made them the recipients of popular attention and generosity. St. Anthony of Thebes was the best-known representative, and his story caused others to imitate him. Although monasticism was in its inception individualistic, the communal life necessitated discipline over the members. In the fourth century, Pachomius had seven thousand monks under his control in Egypt. Basil in Cappadocia regulated the monks of that region with less emphasis on asceticism, and with a recognition of the value of labor and social service as well as of prayer and contemplation.
Impact: Monks cleared forests and built monasteries, setting for the common people an example of industry and morality. They preserved and copied ancient manuscripts, studied the writings of the past, and established monastery schools. Certain of the monks became missionaries to the forest tribes of the North.