A treatment of the biography of Augustine as Latin speaking African in a commercial family in late fourth century Western Roman Empire. His selective academic brilliance and despising of the Christianity of his family and the emerging imperial cult. His successful promotion to a high position in the imperial household through pagan patronage. His consideration of and adherence to various philosophical positions in opposition to Catholic Christianity. The collapse of this anti-Catholic rhetoric and retirement from the public sphere. His recruitment by the African church and his prolonged leadership in addressing the challenges of obstacles to a Catholic system. The literature that emerged from these controversies, and his church correspondence and sermons.