The First Christian Schisms: Augustine Vs Pelagius

A History of Mankind (307)

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Augustine of Hippo’s career long depended on the patronage of others. As a young teacher, he was supported by a protector from his hometown of Thagaste, Romanianus. New, even more powerful patrons and the support network provided by his Manichaean sect brought him under the wing of the wealthy pagan Symmachus.

From Symmachus, Augustine moved on to the much more promising Christian church. Ambrose of Milan’s protection, and later that from other powerful Christian leaders, gave Augustine the means and time to embark in the project that would make his name for centuries to come.

Augustine, being the son of a pagan and a Christian woman who had only become a true Christian at the age of 31, brought a lot of Manichaean and Platonic baggage (despite being very bad at Greek) with him. In his Christian-rejecting youth, he was also a hedonist; and this is actually when he composed his “give me chastity” ditto of worldwide fame¹.

Augustine, depicted in his late, chaste phase. by Philippe de Champaigne, around 1645