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Text Box: Thagaste – 354 - 365 AD  Augustine began his schooling at a very young age in his hometown of Thagaste in Numidia. His parents Patricius & Monica worked hard to ensure he received a proper classical Latin education. In this period of learning Saint Augustine thrived in the subject of Latin literature, but hated arithmetic & the Greek language.  Madaura – 366 - 369 AD  At age twelve, Aurelius began his formal instruction at the public school in Madaura, one of the chief centres of learning in Northern Africa. Augustine was schooled in the art of rhetoric, which is the study of language, debate, & the skill of using words.   Carthage -  370 - 374 AD  After a year of idleness while his parents saved for his university fees, Saint Augustine began his education in Carthage, the capital of Roman North Africa, at one of the Empire's most prestigious universities. While in Carthage, Augustine's teachers took note of the young student's keen mind and flair for writing. He delighted in the works of scholars of the time, especially the lost works of Cicero. Augustine excelled in the study of rhetoric as he had always done, but applied his skills for the ambition & vanity, and soon succumbed to the loose living & "illicit loves" that the big city had to offer. It was during this time that Augustine fell in with the sect of the Manichees, and explored their beliefs, much to the horror of his mother Monica. Tagaste - 374 AD After his schooling in Carthage, Augustine returned to his hometown to teach grammar, one of the underlying principles of rhetoric. Carthage - 375 - 383 AD Aurelius Augustine left Tagaste and returned to Carthage after the death of a good friend, to open his own school of rhetoric. His students caused him great pains - so in a way he was getting a taste of his own medicine! Rome - 383 AD After persuasion from his friends Augustine left his school in Carthage to teach in Rome, with the promise of better pay and serious pupils. He taught rhetoric with his friend Alypius. His seemingly bright future ended with a bout of serious illness on arrival in Rome, and then an endless search for students that wouldn't pay their fees. He continued to practice with the Manichees. Milan - 384 AD The prefect of Rome, Symmachus, chose Augustine for a post as professor of rhetoric in Milan. Augustine journeyed to this northern city and took up this post. It was from here that Augustine began his conversion.                 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Thawley Saint Augustine College 2003