Inventing the Holy Rule: Some Observations on the History of Monastic Normative Observance in the Early Medieval West
Albrecht Diem
Space has always played a crucial part in defining the place that monks and nuns occupy world. Even during first centuries of monastic phenomenon, when possible varieties practice were nearly infinite, there was common thread need to differentiate monk from rest: whatever else they supposed be, beings apart, unique, some sense separate mainstream. The physical contours topographies, natural constructed, are thus fundamental an understanding how early went about parameters their everyday lives, modes religious observance, interactions with larger world around them. group eminent historians archaeologists present at American Academy Rome March, 2007 for conference ‘Western monasticism ante litteram. spaces observance’, whose contributions comprise bulk this volume, have sought reconsider theory, above all West, hope creating more complete picture seminal period, fourth century until ninth, notions what it meant be as numerous varied (often) conflicting.
Disciplina Monastica