Augustine of Hippo facts for kids

Augustine of Hippo (born in 354 AD, died in 430 AD) was a very important Christian thinker and writer. He lived a long time ago in North Africa, which was part of the Roman Empire back then. He wrote many books and letters that have influenced Christianity and Western thought for centuries. People often call him Saint Augustine.

Augustine's Famous Books

Augustine wrote many books that are still studied today. Here are some of his most well-known works:

Confessions

This book, written around 397-398 AD, is like Augustine's personal diary. In it, he shares his life story, his struggles, and how he found his faith. It's one of the first autobiographies ever written and gives us a deep look into his thoughts and feelings.

The City of God

Augustine started writing The City of God around 413 AD and finished it in 426 AD. This huge book talks about two "cities": the "City of Man" (the earthly world with its problems) and the "City of God" (a spiritual place of peace and justice). He wrote it to explain why the Roman Empire was facing difficulties and to show that true hope comes from God, not from earthly power.

Other Important Writings

• On Christian Doctrine: This book helps people understand how to read and interpret the Bible.
• On the Trinity: In this work, Augustine explores the Christian idea of God as three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one.
• Retractions: Near the end of his life (around 426-428 AD), Augustine looked back at all his previous writings. In this book, he reviewed them in order and explained if he would have said anything differently. It's a unique way to see how his ideas developed over time.
• The Literal Meaning of Genesis: This book discusses the early chapters of the Bible, especially the story of creation.

Augustine in Arts and Culture

Augustine's life and writings have inspired many artists, musicians, and writers over the centuries.

Music Inspired by Augustine

• The indie/rock band Band of Horses has a song called "St. Augustine."
• The Christian rock band Petra wrote "St. Augustine's Pears." This song is based on a story from Augustine's Confessions, where he talks about stealing pears as a young boy, even though he wasn't hungry. This small act of rebellion bothered him for a long time.
• Jon Foreman, the lead singer of Switchfoot, wrote "Something More (Augustine's Confession)," also inspired by Augustine's book Confessions.
• Sting's song "Saint Augustine in Hell" (from his 1993 album "Ten Summoner's Tales") includes a line, 'Make me chaste, but not just yet,' which refers to Augustine's famous prayer: 'Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.'
• Bob Dylan wrote "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" for his 1967 album John Wesley Harding.

Films and Other References

• Roberto Rossellini directed a film about Augustine called "Agostino d'Ippona" in 1972.
• The band Sherwood's album "Sing, But Keep Going" features a quote from St. Augustine on its inside cover.
• In an episode of The Simpsons, Homer Simpson jokingly compares his feelings after being baptized to how St. Augustine might have felt after his conversion.

See Also

• Free will
• Original sin
• Pelagianism
• Filioque clause
• Truth

In Spanish: Agustín de Hipona para niños

Images for kids

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  The Saint Augustine Taken to School by Saint Monica, by Niccolò di Pietro 1413–15

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  The earliest known portrait of Saint Augustine in a 6th-century fresco, Lateran, Rome

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  Saint Augustine and his mother, Saint Monica (1846) by Ary Scheffer

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  The Conversion of St. Augustine by Fra Angelico

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  The vision of St. Augustine by Ascanio Luciano

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  Augustine's arm bones, Saint Augustin Basilica, Annaba, Algeria

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  St. Augustine by Carlo Crivelli

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  Painting of Saint Augustine (1458) by Tomás Giner, tempera on panel, Diocesan Museum of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

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  St. Augustine by Peter Paul Rubens

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  Saint Augustine in the Nuremberg Chronicle

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  Saint Augustine painting by Antonio Rodríguez

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  Saint Augustine Disputing with the Heretics painting by Vergós Group

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  St. Augustine in His Study by Vittore Carpaccio, 1502

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  Saint Augustine in His Study by Sandro Botticelli, 1494, Uffizi Gallery