Marcella

325-410. Christian ascetic. Of a noble Roman family, after her husband's early death she devoted herself to charitable works and ascetic practices. Her palace on the Aventine Hill became a center of Christian influence, and a retreat for Christian patrician women. Jerome was her guest for three years, and under his direction she gave herself to Bible study, prayers, and almsdeeds. When Alaric sacked Rome (410), the Goths ill-treated her, thinking she was concealing her wealth, and she died as a result.