Christian History Timeline: Augustine & the Battle for Orthodoxy
Augustine’s Life
354 Born at Thagaste, North Africa
361 Experiences serious illness while in grammar school
370 Studies rhetoric in Carthage, takes a mistress
c. 371 Father dies; son Adeodatus is born
c. 372 Becomes a Manichee
376 Teaches rhetoric in Carthage
383 Sails to Rome despite Monica’s objections, becomes disillusioned with Manicheism
384 Meets Symmachus, who appoints him official orator in Milan
386 Converts to Christianity
387 Baptized by Ambrose; Monica dies
388 Establishes monastic community in Thagaste
390 Adeodatus dies
391 Ordained a priest in Hippo
392 Requests biblical commentaries from Jerome, debates Fortunatus the Manichee
c. 395 Succeeds Valerius as bishop of Hippo
397 Participates in Councils of Carthage, which defined the structure of the African church
400 Writes Confessions
c. 411 Attends Collatio (debates ending in the condemnation of the Donatists)
412 Starts 13-year work on City of God
416 At a council in Milevis, joins in condemnation of Pelagius and Celestius
419 Begins writing against Julian of Eclanum
423 Considers resigning over scandal involving Antoninus, whom he had ordained
426 Begins Retractions
430 Dies, as Vandals besiege Hippo
The Church and Its Struggles
354 John Chrysostom born
355 Donatus, schismatic bishop of Casa Nigrae, dies
356 Antony of Egypt dies
361 Valentian, an orthodox believer, becomes Western emperor, ending 30 years of rule by Arians (who believe Jesus is not divine)
373 Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, dies
374 Ambrose becomes bishop of Milan
381 Council of Constantinople affirms Nicene orthodoxy; Emperor Theodosius forbids paganism
384 Symmachus petitions for the pagan Altar of Victory; Ambrose responds and ultimately prevails
385 Jerome goes to Palestine
386 Basilicas in Milan besieged; purge of Manichees in Carthage
390 Ambrose requires Emperor Theodosius to repent for massacre at Thessalonica
c. 390 Pelagius arrives in Rome and is disturbed by immorality
395 Augustine’s friend Alypius elected bishop of Thagaste
397 Ambrose dies
401 Donatist bishop of Calama held responsible for attack on Catholic bishop Possidius
405 Edict of Unity issued against Donatists
407 John Chrysostom, twice deposed bishop of Constantinople, dies
410 Alaric (an Arian) and the Goths sack Rome
415 Synod at Diospolis judges Pelagius favorably
418 Zosimus, bishop of Rome, condemns Pelagius and Celestius; first schism between Rome and Constantinople occurs
419 Julian of Eclanum begins writing in defense of Pelagianism
420 Jerome dies
429 Vandals enter Africa
431 Council of Ephesus condemns Pelagianism
By the Editors
[Christian History originally published this article in Christian History Issue #67 in 2000]
Next articles
Fighting Words
Forged in the heat of theological battle, Augustine’s five most distinctive teachings remain controversial.
Roger E. Olsonsemi-Augustinians
A few monks—and eventually most of the church—found both Augustine and Pelagius a little too extreme.
David AllenAugustine & the Battle for Orthodoxy: A Gallery of Influential Antagonists
Augustine’s life and ministry were shaped by his encounters with these intellectual adversaries.
J. Stepehn LangAugustine & the Battle for Orthodoxy: From the Editor — A Giant—But A Man
Augustine is both more extraordinary and more human than the legend.
Mark Galli