Desert Mothers were Christian ascetics who inhabited the desert in Syria, Palestine and Egypt in the 4th and 5th centuries CE. They lived in the monastic communities or as hermits. There are several chapters dedicated to the Desert Mothers in the Lausiac History by Palladius. Amma Syncletica, a famous Desert Mother once said, "In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire; at first they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek ... so we must also kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work."