The Politics of Asceticism

Frida Ghitis: The idea that asceticism could restore equality between men and women is a powerful undercurrent in this literature. She says refusing marriage, or marriage-all relations, gave them a chance to escape the strictures of late antiquity. Ghitis: Outstandingly holy women could wield influence openly, something quite rare in antiquity. Women's use of family wealth to house groups of like-minded ascetics was another way to exert influence,.