03-19-2008, 10:58 AM
Quote:I suppose they have here portrayed as a prototype nun?
It's funny you should mention that, Gaius.
No, it's actually the other way around. She was a pagan philosopher and as such was expected to live a life of celibacy - it was a sign of enlightenment to the ancient Greeks and Romans to renounce sex.
The Christian clergy were imitating pagan philosophers in their practice of living a celibate life. Pagan observers of the Christian laity, like Galen, were deeply impressed by their sexual mores which reminded them of their own pagan philosophers. To quote Galen :
"Their contempt of death is patent to us every day, and likewise their restraint in cohabitation. For they include not only men but also women who refrain from cohabitating all their lives; and they also number individuals who, in self-discipline and self-control, have attained a pitch not inferior to that of genuine philosophers." (Galen, 2nd C. AD)
True, the Christians had biblical teaching to draw upon for living a celibate life - i.e. St. Paul - but the pagan philosophers also made an impact.
~Theo
Jaime
