Saint Jerome (c. 340–420) and Saint Augustine (354–430) were born into a rapidly changing world. Emperor Constantine I (c. 280–337) had been the first Christian ruler of the Roman Empire, but the fourth century was tumultuous, as large groups of peoples migrated, and the western part of the Roman Empire disintegrated.
Jerome and Augustine differed in the manner in which they accepted Christianity. Jerome's parents were Christians, and he was born into the faith. On the other hand, Augustine's father was a pagan. Augustine turned to Christianity at the age of thirty-three only after rejecting Manichaeism and other alternatives.
Jerome and Augustine also led very different lives. Jerome was a monk with strong ascetic tendencies. Augustine had a number of sexual adventures and fathered a son.
Their works reflected their brilliant and diverse minds. Jerome is best remembered for his translation of the Bible into Latin. Augustine, perhaps the most important Christian thinker in history, wrote Confessions and On the City of God.
These two extraordinary men had a profound impact on Christianity.
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