Sexual Asceticism in Rome

Research Paper # 75063

History > Greek and Roman
History > Religion
Religion and Theology > Christianity

An analysis of the rise of sexual asceticism in early Christian Rome.

2,190 words () | 6 sources | MLA | 2005 Canada

Paper Summary:

Asceticism, which exploded in popularity with the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of Rome, is a concept not so readily defined. It took many forms, and meant many different things to many different people. This paper looks at the leading proponents of the ideas of asceticism and marriage in the church to further unravel the mysteries of the early years of Christianity and Constantinople. The paper also touches on a few specific groups of aesthetics, such as the Encratites.

Outline
Encratites
Monasticism
John Chrysostum
Jovinianism
Augustine of Hippo
Women and Sexual Asceticism
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Encratites were essentially an early sect, or group of sects who, based on their views concerning the origin of matter, abstained from eating meat, drinking alcohol, or getting married. They are very interesting in their development. Stemming from Stoicism and other generic branches of aestheticism, this group devoted their lives to chastity in all forms. Because they rejected marriage and considered all sexual encounters to be evil, they formulated theories that claimed all women to be evil beings. Also, as they were not predispositioned to eat animal products, they saw all alcohol as being given from Satan himself. After a certain period of decline, the Encratites were back in full swing and became known as Severan Encratites."