> Simeon the Stylite (459)
- after almost killing himself with his bizarre self-
mortifications, he took up living on successively taller
pillars for the last 37 years of his life; the final pillar
was about 20 metres high, with a platform about two metres
wide on top
the theory i heard some years ago about why/how Simeon lived for so long up on
his perch (aside from Divine Grace, of course) was that he had effectively
isolated himself from the disease-ridden, teaming masses
below him, especially from the tuberculosis which was pandemic throughout the
Eastern provinces of the late empire.
i'd be interested in hearing whether or not this theory is still awe currant.
personally, the idea that he simply freed himself from his own near-fatal
bizarre self-mortifications seems at least as probable an explanation.
best to all from here,
christopher
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