Augustine in Context

Augustine in Context assesses the various contexts - historical, literary, cultural, spiritual - in which Augustine lived and worked.

Tarmo Toom (Edited by)

9781316502280, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 April 2023

289 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.474 kg

'… the book will be a valuable resource for those seeking knowledge of Augustine's background.' J. P. Blosser, Choice

Augustine in Context assesses the various contexts - historical, literary, cultural, spiritual - in which Augustine lived and worked. The essays, written by an international team of scholars especially for this volume, provide the background against which Augustine's treatises should be read and interpreted. They are organized according to a rationale which moves from an introduction to the person (the so-called 'personal context') to the contexts of Augustine's works and ideas, starting from the intellectual setting and extending to the socio-political realm. Collectively the essays highlight the embeddedness of Augustine in the world of late antiquity and the interdependence of his discourse with contemporary forms of social life. They shed new light on one of the most important figures of the western canon and facilitate a more enlightened reading of his writings.

1. Chronological chart
2. 'Augustine in Context and Augustine on context' Tarmo Toom
Part I. Life: 3. Biography in late antiquity Arthur P. Urbano
4. Augustine on himself Annemareì Kotzeì
5. Possidius on Augustine Erika T. Hermanowicz
6. Augustine in Roman North Africa (Thagaste, Carthage) Gareth Sears
7. Augustine in higher society (Rome and Milan) David Gwynn
8. Augustine as a Bishop (Hippo) Andrea Sterk
Part II. Literary and intellectual contexts: 9. Language James Clackson
10. Classical literary culture in North Africa Martin Bloomer
11. Education, grammar, and rhetoric Yun Lee Too
12. Scripture and biblical commentaries Stephen A. Cooper
13. Latin Christian literature I (polemical and theological writings) Josef Lössl
14. Latin Christian literature II (moral and spiritual writings) David Hunter
15. Letter-writing and preaching Jaclyn Maxwell
16. Philosophical trends in Augustine's time Giovanni Catapano
Part III. Religious Contexts: 17. Roman religion Jeffrey Brodd
18. Manicheism Nicholas Baker-Brian
19. Ecclesiological controversies Alden Bass
20. Soteriological controversies Dominic Keech
21. Trinitarian controversies Mark Weedman
22. Monasticism/asceticism Marilyn Dunn
Part IV. Political, Social, and Cultural Contexts: 23. Imperial politics and legislation in Roman Africa Dean Hammer
24. War Alexander Sarantis
25. Religious violence Despina Iosif
26. Relationships in Augustine's life Geoffrey Nathan
27. Popular culture and entertainment Jerry Toner
Part V. Reception: 28. Augustine's reception of himself Johannes Brachtendorf
29. Reception of Augustine during his lifetime Mathijs Lamberigts
30. Reception of Augustine in Hadrumetum and Southern Gaul Alexander Y. Hwang.

Subject Areas: Spirituality & religious experience [HRLK], Theology [HRLB], Church history [HRCC2], Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Religion & beliefs [HR], History of Western philosophy [HPC], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], History [HB], Literary theory [DSA]