(κοινοβίον), the state of living in a society, or community, where all things are common. Pythagoras is thought to be the author or first instigator of this kind of life; his disciples, though some hundreds in number, being obliged to give up all their private estates, in order to be annexed to the joint flock of the whole. The Essenes among the Jews, and Platonists, are said to have lived in the same manner. Many of the Christians also have thought this the most perfect kind of society, as being that in which Christ and his apostles chose to live.