Lausiacorum

Lausiacorum is a term that historically referred to a collection of monastic writings, most notably the Lausiac History (Historia Lausiaca), compiled by Palladius of Galatia in the early 5th century CE. The Lausiac History is a significant work in early Christian literature, providing biographical accounts and anecdotes of ascetics, monks, and nuns living primarily in Egypt and Syria during the late 4th and early 5th centuries.

The collection is named after an individual named Lausos, a chamberlain of the Emperor Theodosius II, to whom Palladius dedicated his work. Palladius, himself a bishop and monk, aimed to document the lives and spiritual practices of these desert fathers and mothers, offering insights into their asceticism, spiritual warfare, and encounters with divine grace. The Lausiac History is not a systematic theological treatise but rather a series of biographical sketches, often filled with moral teachings and edifying stories.

The content of Lausiacorum, and specifically the Lausiac History, offers valuable historical and sociological information about the early monastic movement. It portrays a diverse range of individuals who sought God through rigorous self-discipline, prayer, and contemplation. The work was widely influential in the Byzantine East and the Latin West, shaping perceptions of monasticism and inspiring future generations of monks and spiritual seekers. While Palladius is the most famous author associated with the term, the concept of "lausiacorum" can broadly encompass similar collections of monastic biographies from the patristic period.