Possidius of Calama: A Study of the North African Episcopate in the Age of Augustine

by Erika Hermanowicz

Overview

Possidius, the bishop of Calama, was a lifelong friend of St. Augustine best known for writing a biography of the bishop of Hippo, the Vita Augustini. Hermanowicz analyzes both the biography and the legally oriented career of Possidius to illustrate how active Augustine's colleagues were in soliciting imperial support against their religious competitors and to show just how often Augustine's close friends disagreed with him on important matters of law, coercion and diplomacy. It is still widely asserted by scholars that St. Augustine dominated the theological landscape of North Africa, but this engaging study demonstrates how often he was, in fact, singular and isolated in his beliefs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199236350
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/15/2008
Series:	Oxford Early Christian Studies
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	919,448
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 6.40(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

IntroductionThe Vita Augustini: Augustine's Life and Text According to Possidius1. The Vita Augustini2. The Literary PossidiusPossidius and the Legal Activities of the North African Episcopate3. Donatists, Catholics and Appeals to the Law: 392-4044. Donatist Strategy and Catholic Response: 403-4055. Possidius Goes to Court: 408-4096. The Conference of 411ConclusionBibliography

Editorial Reviews

"Offers lucidly written insights into the reception of the person and writings of Augustine. ... I highly recommend [Hermanowicz's] volume for seminary and graduate libraries and...to scholars of Augustine." —Theological Studies

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