"The Father of Western Monasticism" was born around 480 of a noble family in Nursia, Italy. At age 20, Benedict was sent to Rome to study. Distressed by the moral laxity of fellow students, however, he left the city. Making the decision to renounce "ordinary" life, he began living the life of a solitary in a cave near Subiaco, 50 miles east of Rome. Subiaco is one of two cities most often associated with Benedict. As his reputation for holiness grew, a nearby monastery asked him to be their abbot. While this project "didn't work out," from that time on, Benedict directed his attention to communal monasticism. He formed several small communities of monks. But this eventually aroused the jealousy of a neighboring cleric, and -- to keep peace -- Benedict left the area altogether. Finally he accepted a gift of land from a Roman patrician near the town of Casino, 30 miles from Subiaco. At an elevation of 1700 feet, the Patriarch established his now historic Abbey of Monte Casino. Also here, he wrote his Rule. Benedict died at Monte Casino around 547 and was buried next to his sister, Scholastica. In the nearly 15 centuries since his death, this 4th-5th century "wise man" has had more spiritual children than perhaps any other founder of a religious community.