MONTE CASSINO  , an isolated hill overhanging the town of Cassinum, about midway between Rome and Naples . Hither St Benedict migrated from Subiaco in the early years of the 6th century, and established the monastery that became the metropolis of Western monachism . About 580—590 it was sacked by the Lombards, and the monks fled to Rome, where they were established at the Lateran basilica . The monastery was rebuilt in 720, again destroyed by the Saracens in 884, and restored seventy years later . It reached its highest point of prosperity and influence from 1059 to 1105, under Desiderius (who became Pope Victor III. in ro87) and Oderisius . The abbot became overlord of an extensive territory and bishop of several dioceses: now, though not a bishop, he is ordinary of seven dioceses . At the dissolution of monasteries in 1866 Monte Cassino was spared, owing mainly to a remonstrance by English well-wishers of United Italy . The monastery became a national monument and the monks were recognized as custodians . There is a large secondary school with 250 boys, and rich archives . See L . Tosti, Storia della badia di M.C . (1841; 2nd ed., 1888); Wetzer u .

Welte, Kirchenlexicon (2nd ed.) and

Herzog, Realencyklopadie (3rd ed.) . (E . C .