Lancel's authoritative study places St Augustine against the colourful background of the Mediterranean world of antiquity, exploring the major influences, events and competing philosophies which were formative for his thought and theology.

Part I A son of Thagaste: Thagaste; Monica; a Numidian childhood; Carthage; from Cicero to Mani; a Manichaean rhetor between Thagaste and Carthage; first achievements; between Rome and Milan; Ambrose; intellectual conversation; conversion of the will; classiciacum; Ostia; a second season in Rome; Otium at Thagaste. Part II The Bishop of Hippo: Hippo Regius priesthood; donatism; elevation to the episcopacy; the confessions; a monk in his monasteries; a bishop in his churches; at Hippo; a bishop in his diocese; a bishop in the world of his time; the unity of the church; the Carthage conference of 411; dialogue with the Pagans. Part III The doctor of grace: Pelagius; 418-419; seek his face evermore; the city of God; Julian of Eclanum; death and the hereafter.