The term 'ancient ascetic' refers to a person who practices extreme self-discipline and abstention from worldly pleasures. This term can be used to describe three different groups of people: Essenes (6 letters), Eremites (7 letters), and Essenes (7 letters). The Essenes were a Jewish sect that lived in the Middle East during the 2nd century BC. They were known for their ascetic lifestyle, which included communal living, vegetarianism, and celibacy. Eremites were hermits who lived in solitude, often in the desert, and practiced extreme self-denial. Finally, the Essenes were a Christian monastic order that was founded in the 4th century AD. They were known for their strict adherence to the teachings of Jesus and their commitment to poverty and chastity. All three of these ancient ascetics shared a common goal of spiritual enlightenment through self-denial and discipline.