Origins & Early Life

Anthony the Great (c. 12 January 251 – 17 January 356) was a Christian monk from Egypt, revered since his death as a saint. He is distinguished from other saints named Anthony, such as Anthony of Padua, by various epithets: Anthony of Egypt, Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite, Anthony the Hermit, and Anthony of Thebes. For his importance among the Desert Fathers and to all later Christian monasticism, he is also known as the Father of All Monks.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His feast day is celebrated on 17 January among the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches and on Tobi 22 in the Coptic calendar. The biography of Anthony's life by Athanasius of Alexandria helped to spread the concept of Christian monasticism, particularly in Western Europe via its Latin translations. He is often erroneously considered the first Christian monk, but as his biography and other sources make clear, there were many ascetics before him. Anthony was, however, among the first known to go into the wilderness (about AD 270), which seems to have contributed to his renown. Accounts of Anthony enduring supernatural temptation during his sojourn in the Eastern Desert of Egypt inspired the depiction of his temptations...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Hosius of Corduba — Contemporary (Died in 357) (357): Bishop of Corduba and key defender of Homoousian Christianity during the Arian controversy.
• Arius — Contemporary figure (Born in 250) (250): Cyrenaic presbyter whose teachings initiated the Arian controversy regarding the nature of Christ.
• Denis of Paris — Contemporary figure (Died in 250) (250): 3rd-century Bishop of Paris and revered Christian martyr saint.
• Aemilianus — Contemporary figure (Died in 253) (253): Roman Emperor who achieved victory against Goths before his death in 253 AD.
• Himiko — Contemporary figure (Died in 248) (248): Third-century queen of Yamatai, a powerful ruler in the Japanese archipelago.
• Origen — Contemporary figure (Died in 254) (254): Pioneering early Christian theologian and prolific writer of late antiquity.
• 251 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 251
• 357 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 357