Anthony the Great

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Anthony's life, as chronicled by Athanasius of Alexandria, played a pivotal role in popularizing Christian monasticism throughout Western Europe, thanks to its Latin translations that circulated widely. Misconceptions abound about his status as the first Christian monk, but a closer examination of his biography and other historical records reveals that numerous ascetics preceded him. Anthony did, however, make history by venturing into the wilderness around ad 270, a bold geographical move that significantly boosted his reputation. Stories of his supernatural temptations while in the Eastern Desert of Egypt have become a staple theme in Western art and literature, often depicting the temptation of St. Anthony.