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Melania the Elder
c. 350 – c. 410 · b. Rome
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Quick facts
- Born
- c. 350, Rome
- Died
- c. 410, Jerusalem
- Region
- west
- Era
- post nicene
- Significance
- Notable(2/4)
- Also known as
- Melania Maior
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Roman noblewoman of Spanish origin who, after the early death of her husband, embraced asceticism, travelled to Egypt to visit the desert fathers, and around 374 founded a double monastery...
- Primary source
- Palladius, Historia Lausiaca 46, 54
Roman noblewoman of Spanish origin who, after the early death of her husband, embraced asceticism, travelled to Egypt to visit the desert fathers, and around 374 founded a double monastery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem together with Rufinus of Aquileia. She was an important patron of Evagrius Ponticus and a key node in the late 4th-century network linking Roman asceticism, Origenist theology, and Egyptian monasticism. Grandmother of Melania the Younger.
Recommended reading near Melania the Elder
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Common questions
- Who was Melania the Elder?
- Melania the Elder (350–410) — Roman noblewoman of Spanish origin who, after the early death of her husband, embraced asceticism, travelled to Egypt to visit the desert fathers, and around 374 founded a double monastery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem together with Rufinus of Aquileia. She was an important patron of Evagrius Ponticus and a key node in the late 4th-century network linking Roman asceticism, Origenist theology, and Egyptian monasticism. Grandmother of Melania the Younger.
- Who did Melania the Elder teach?
- Melania the Younger.
- Who did Melania the Elder correspond with?
- Evagrius Ponticus.
- Who did Melania the Elder meet?
- Pambo of Nitria and Rufinus of Aquileia.
Sources for biography
- Palladius, Historia Lausiaca 46, 54 primary
- Paulinus of Nola, Epistulae 29, 31, 45 primary
- ODCC s.v. Melania the Elder, St secondary
documented connections(4)
- met (incoming) Pambo of NitriaPalladius records Melania the Elder visiting Pambo at Nitria shortly before his death and Pambo dying in her presence.Palladius, Historia Lausiaca 10, 46
- corresponded Evagrius PonticusPalladius records Melania the Elder as a patron and correspondent of Evagrius at Kellia.Palladius, Historia Lausiaca 38, 46
- Co-founders of the double monastery on the Mount of Olives c. 374-378.Palladius, Historia Lausiaca 46 · Jerome, Epistula 4 (to Rufinus)
- taught by (incoming) Melania the YoungerGranddaughter; the Vita stresses Melania the Elder's ascetic example as decisive for the younger Melania's vocation.Gerontius, Vita Melaniae Iunioris 1, 6