Benedictine monks

In short

Benedict of Nursia founded a monastery on the mountain of Cassino, in southern Lazio. For his monks he wrote a Rule, a set of guidelines for living together in peace and good order. The days were divided between prayer, work in the fields and study, as the later motto ‘ora et labora’, pray and work, sums up. In Benedictine monasteries the monks also copied ancient books by hand.

Why it matters Thanks to the work of monks copying books, many Latin and Greek works have come down to us.

Source: Treccani, entry “Benedetto da Norcia, santo”

Where we are in the era “Early Middle Ages”

Your turn

Name ______________________ Class ______ Date __________

1. When did it happen? Find the date at the top and write it here:

2. Tell it in your own words: what happened?

3. Draw the scene below.

storiascopio.com/en/event/benedictine-monks/ · free worksheet, you may photocopy it for your class