1. Saint Augustine of Hippo
Aurelius Augustine
Saint Augustine of Hippo

2. Augustine 354 – 430 A.D. Born in Tagaste, North Africa
Bishop of Hippo, North Africa from 395
Wrote Confessions in 397, City of God in 426, and other works against schismatics and heretics.

3. Augustine
Lived during time of invading barbarians, not peace in Rome. Christian empire beset by organized heretical sects.
Partially responsible for the consolidation of the Church in the West.
Converted to Christianity in the middle of his life

4. Confessions
Story of Augustine’s early life and conversion to Christianity
First known, authentic, ancient autobiography
Displays value of individual soul and relation with God
Within Confessions, he directly and humbly addresses God
Feels that God is concerned for him personally

5. Confessions Sees Greeks as ignorant children in need of divine mercy
Themes combine intellectual traditions of ancient world and religious feeling of Middle Ages
Augustine’s conversion in the garden at Milan can be seen as directly representing the transition from the ancient to medieval way of life.