I'm currently studying early monasticism, and it veers between being extremely boring and extremely fascinating. Most of it (so far) seems to either be about disputes over obscure doctrine, or slightly fanatical people who did nothing but fast and pray. But then you come across passages like this:
"At its core, the Manichaean theology proclaimed a cosmic dualism. The present world, in Mani's view, is a war-torn frontier land, a temporary buffer state, created from the great cosmic clash between the Kingdoms of Light and Darkness. Like earlier Gnostic theorists, Mani preached an intricate mythology, a cosmogonic drama of divine emanations and cosmic powers: Primal Man, the great Builder, the Third Messenger, the Maid of Light, the Prince of Darkness, and the Instinct of Death. The tale of their upperworldly battles and deceptions explains the wretched state of the present universe, its corruption and heartache."*
Now, tell me that doesn't sound like the most kick-ass mythology ever.
*W. Harmless, 'Desert Christians' (2004)