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Augustine was born in 354 AD at Tagaste in Roman [[North Africa]] to a [[pagan]] father and a 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 [[Christian]] 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 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 [[Christian]] 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 [[Letter to the 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 a 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 a 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.