Early Christian Biographies

Introduction

INTRODUCTION GlOME THIRTY YEARS after the death of the renowned Bishop of Hippo, another member of the episcopal hierarchy published an account of his co-laborer's life and merits. Thus, Possidius, Bishop of Calama in Numidia , gave to his contemporaries and followers the graphic story of the life of St. Augustine. Addressed to the people of his day, this biography aims at the edification of the faithful through a consideration of the sanctity of its subject. Possidius had been a pupil and friend of Augustine. The influence of his teacher had such a profound effect that the younger man longed to share his enthusiasm with others. Keeping this end in view, the author proceeded to write his panegyric, which contains interesting details on the life and death of the saint. Although a comparatively early example of Christian biography , the Vita Augustini has considerable merit. Admittedly not a complete picture (Possidius definitely states his intention of omitting all the material included in Augustine's own Confessions), the account clearly portrays an energy and activity, a zeal for truth and God's glory, which may well be imitated as well as admired. There is no scarcity of actual facts, no vague impression of holiness requiring rhetorical embellishment, but an abundance of Christian social principle in practice. 69 70 POSSIDIUS The difficult situations which the intrepid defender of the faith encountered are clearly indicated. However, it is not the bare facts alone, but the spirit of the .saint penneating them all which attracts attention. Manichaeans, Donatists, Pelagians--each in tum felt the force of his strong personality opposing their heretical teachings. Discourses, sennons, writings -all possible means were employed to further the cause of truth and Christian living. Many of the facts in the life of Augustine would, perhaps, be lost to the world except for the work of Possidius. Personal details on his inner life, as well as first-hand infonnation on his external activity, last illness, and death are included. Stylistically, the Vita is a good example of early Christian biography, for it combines in pleasing proportion facts from the life of its subject with a eulogistic treatment of it. The author's aim is obviously, but not too obviously, to impress the reader with the merits of the saint; however, this is ac· complished by an objective presentation of concrete information rather than by purely laudatory oratory. The Latin is in a good, easy style, without overemphasis on rhetorical effect. Altogether, the work presents a pleasant-reading, instructive, and inspirational history of Augustine's accomplishments . For the translation, Weiskotten's edition was used. There may be some instances of interpretations similar to those of Weiskotten, but the divergences are probably more conspi. cuous. Whenever Possidius quotes Holy Scripture, if his words are an exact rendering of the Vulgate edition, the Douay translation has been followed; otherwise, the Latin version has been translated as it appears. ...