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Confessions: Autobiography and Soul
- Augustine's Confessions blend autobiography with deep scrutiny of his emotional and spiritual growth.
- The work explores ideas like original sin, influenced by his personal life and wider philosophical and religious debates.
Augustine's Background and Education
- Augustine came from a mixed Roman-Berber background in North Africa during the Roman Empire's decline.
- His education focused heavily on Latin and rhetoric, preparing him for a career in speeches and letters.
Christianity's Factions in Augustine's Time
- Early Christianity was fragmented with factions like Donatists and Arians competing for dominance.
- Donatists in North Africa claimed purity and rejected clergy who faltered during persecution, challenging Augustine's position.