Shenoute of Atripe (“the Great”; c. 347–c. 465 CE) led a federation of three monasteries in the area of Atripe, a village on the west bank of the Nile, across from the city of Panopolis (modern Akhmim). Shenoute is the most important native writer in the Coptic language, producing numerous theological, homiletic, and disciplinary works throughout his long career as a monastic administrator (archimandrite), and was known in Egypt as an advocate for the poor and a critic of alleged pagan and heretical opponents.