After the Israelites entered Canaan, the Judges ruled over the Israelite tribes for 400 years. Similarly, the Patriarchs (bishops of the great cities) ruled the churches in the Roman Empire, Asia Minor, and North Africa for about 400 years.
Just as the Judges fulfilled multiple roles such as priest, ruler, prophet, and military leader, the Patriarchs wielded considerable political and juridical authority and waged spiritual warfare against heresy and schism. Monasticism, with its ascetic practices, gained prevalence during this period just as the school of prophets flourished at the time of the Judges.
In the period of the Judges, the various tribes of Israel developed first a loose federation and then a stronger sense of national identity, leading finally to a united monarchy.
The Patriarchs gradually united the churches into four sees. Among them, the bishop of Rome eventually gained ascendancy and acquired the title of Pope.