In these two works -- the nearest equivalent to
summation in the whole of the Augustinian corpus -- we can find
all his essential themes and can sample the characteristic flavor
of his thought.
Augustine was baptized by Ambrose at Milan during Eastertide,
A.D. 387. A short time later his mother, Monica, died at Ostia
on the journey back to Africa. A year later, Augustine was back
in Roman Africa living in a monastery at Tagaste, his native town.
In 391, he was ordained presbyter in the church of Hippo Regius (a
small coastal town nearby). Here in 395 -- with grave misgivings
on his own part (cf. Sermon CCCLV, 2) and in actual violation of
the eighth canon of Nicea (cf. Mansi, Sacrorum conciliorum, II,
671, and IV, 1167) -- he was consecrated assistant bishop to the
aged Valerius, whom he succeeded the following year. Shortly
after he entered into his episcopal duties he began his
Confessions, completing them probably in 398 (cf. De Labriolle, I,
vi (see Bibliography), and di Capua, Miscellanea Agostiniana, II,
678).
Augustine had a complex motive for undertaking such a self-
analysis.[1] His pilgrimage of grace had led him to a most
unexpected outcome.
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