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== Life ==

== Life ==

Augustine was born in 354 AD at Tagaste in Roman [[North Africa]] to a [[pagan]] father and a Catholic Christian mother. His early adult life, which is described in his autobiographical book ''Confessions'', was characterized by religious confusion and searching. Although raised as a [[Catholic]] by his mother, he converted to [[Manichaeanism]] soon after leaving home to study at an academy in the city of [[Carthage]]. During this period, he investigated [[astrology]] and cohabitated with a woman who bore him children. He eventually grew discontent with the Manichaeans, however, not least due to the influence of his mother and of [[Saint Ambrose]], the bishop of [[Milan]]. His break with Manichaeanism did not mean an immediate return to the Catholic faith. Instead, he turned at first to the study of [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonic]] philosophy.  

Augustine was born in 354 AD at Tagaste in Roman [[North Africa]] to a [[pagan]] father and a Catholic Christian mother. His early adult life, which is described in his autobiographical book ''[[Confessions]]'', was characterized by religious confusion and searching. Although raised as a [[Catholic]] by his mother, he converted to [[Manichaeanism]] soon after leaving home to study at an academy in the city of [[Carthage]]. During this period, he investigated [[astrology]] and cohabitated with a woman who bore him children. He eventually grew discontent with the Manichaeans, however, not least due to the influence of his mother and of [[Saint Ambrose]], the bishop of [[Milan]]. His break with Manichaeanism did not mean an immediate return to the Catholic faith. Instead, he turned at first to the study of [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonic]] philosophy.  

Augustine's ultimate return to [[Catholicism]] took place in 386. In the ''Confessions'', Augustine describes it as a miraculous conversion following a long period of personal crisis and soul-searching. He relates how, while sitting in his mother's garden in [[Milan]], he heard a voice commanding him to take up a nearby [[Bible]] and read. At random, he read [[Book of Romans|Romans]] 13:13 ("Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying")

Augustine's ultimate return to [[Catholicism]] took place in 386. In the ''[[Confessions]]'', Augustine describes it as a miraculous conversion following a long period of personal crisis and soul-searching. He relates how, while sitting in his mother's garden in [[Milan]], he heard a voice commanding him to take up a nearby [[Bible]] and read. At random, he read [[Book of Romans|Romans]] 13:13 ("Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying")

Following his conversion, Augustine was consecrated as priest and returned to Thagaste. In 396, he was elected bishop of the regional capital [[Hippo Regius]]. He died in 430 during the [[Vandal]] siege of Hippo.

Following his conversion, Augustine was consecrated as priest and returned to Thagaste. In 396, he was elected bishop of the regional capital [[Hippo Regius]]. He died in 430 during the [[Vandal]] siege of Hippo.