Augustine was born in 354 in themunicipiumof Thagaste (nowSouk Ahras,Algeria) inRoman Africa.His father, Patricius, was a pagan, and his mother,Monica, was Christian. Scholars believe that Augustines ancestors included Berbers, Latins and Phoenicians.Augustines family name, Aurelius, suggests that his fathers ancestors werefreedmenof thegens Aureliagiven full Roman citizenship by theEdict of Caracallain 212. Augustines family had been Roman, from a legal standpoint, for at least a century when he was born.It is assumed that his mother, Monica, was ofBerberorigin, on the basis of her name,but as his family werehonestiores, Augustines first language is likely to have been Latin.At the age of 11, he was sent to school at Madaurus (nowMDaourouch), a smallNumidiancity about 19 miles south of Thagaste. There he became familiar withLatin literature, as well as pagan beliefs and practices. While at home in 369 and 370, he readCicerosdialogueHortensius(now lost), which he described as leaving a lasting impression on him and sparking his interest in philosophy. Studying at Carthage At age 17, through the generosity of fellow citizen Romanianus, Augustine went toCarthageto continue his education inrhetoric. Although raised as a Christian, Augustine left the church to follow theManichaean religion, much to
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