The Conversion of Augustine

III.15 (a). The Conversion of Augustine

This option will be taught by Dr R.S.O Tomlin in 2009/2010 and by Dr. N. McLynn from 2010/2011, in conjunction with a wider-ranging special subject in Modern History called "From Julian the Apostate to St. Augustine, 350-95", which makes possible a generous provision of teaching time. University teaching is concentrated in Michaelmas Term, and consists of a weekly class (some topics in the social and intellectual history of the second half of the 4th century A.D.) and two weekly lectures: one on Augustine's Confessions, the other on various contemporary texts. Tutorials are also arranged. The central theme is the conversion, first to Neoplatonism and then to Christian asceticism, of a late-Roman teacher of rhetoric at Milan in 386. This is described in intimate detail by Augustine in his Confessions, the most brilliant intellectual autobiography to survive from the ancient world. Other texts are studied to create a context for Augustine, the intellectual life of the western Roman empire in the 380s, in which he played a major role. They include texts of the controversy over the abolition of a major symbol of residual paganism, the Altar of Victory, and of Jerome's advocacy of a rigorist Christian asceticism.

Knowledge of Latin is necessary, but not of Greek. An interest in philosophy or theology is helpful, but not at all necessary. The approach is primarily historical. A useful starting point is Henry Chadwick's translation (Oxford 1991) of the Confessions with introduction; and three excellent studies, John J. O'Meara, The Young Augustine (London and New York, 1954), Peter Brown, Augustine of Hippo (London 1967) and Gillian Clark, Augustine: the Confessions (Cambridge 1993). It is essential to read the prescribed texts during the Long Vacation. Further advice about reading will be given at a meeting towards the end of Trinity Term, and intending takers should get in touch with Dr Tomlin at Wolfson (if planning to study the subject in 2009/20010) or with Dr. McLynn at Corpus.