Perpetua (died c. 423) was a late Roman abbess, the daughter of Saint Monica and Patricius, and the younger sister of Augustine of Hippo.
[5][6] Possidius describes her in his Vita Augustini as "superior of the handmaids until her death", despite this, neither she, nor any other woman, was allowed to stay at Augustine's monastery.
[7] He argued that although his sister, who was living a holy life, would be above "evil suspicion" - she would need to bring in female servants who may provide temptation.
[12] This establishment seems to have run on similar lines to his - the nuns were allowed to leave the monastery for a variety of activities, including: visiting the baths, to the laundry, and to worship at external churches.
[15] One of its major warnings was of pride: whether you came from a humble or a rich background, there was danger that you may become proud of your asceticism, which undid all its holy work.