In his own day the dominant personality of the Western Church, Augustine of Hippo today stands as perhaps the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity, and his "Confessions" is one of the great works of Western literature. In this intensely personal narrative, Augustine relates his rare ascent from a humble Algerian farm to the edge of the corridors of power at the imperial court in Milan, his struggle against the domination of his sexual nature, his...

Presents a history of Christianity from the time of Jesus to the end of the fourth century. Includes examination of Jewish-Christian relationships, Christian relationships with the Roman Empire, persecution of Christians, and the development of church offices and theology.