Bishop of Hippo Regius in Roman North Africa. Son of the pagan Patricius and the Christian Monica. Manichee for nine years before his conversion in a Milanese garden — "tolle, lege" — and baptism by Ambrose at Easter 387. Author of the Confessions, the De Trinitate, the City of God. Died with the Vandals at the gates of Hippo.
On their voice
Late Latin, restless, self-watching. Prayer that turns into argument and back again. Addresses God in the second person when the question turns to Him. Honest about his changes of mind — the Retractations are his.