# Confessions

> autobiographical work by Saint Augustine

**Wikidata**: [Q372941](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q372941)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessions_(Augustine))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/confessions

## Summary
*Confessions* is an autobiographical work written by Saint Augustine, a Christian theologian and philosopher, between 397 and 400 AD. It is a deeply personal account of Augustine's spiritual journey, reflecting on his sins, conversion to Christianity, and theological reflections. The work is a foundational text in Christian literature and remains influential in discussions of faith, morality, and self-examination.

## Key Facts
- An autobiographical work by Saint Augustine, written between 397 and 400 AD
- Part of the broader genre of literary works and autobiographies
- Augustine was a theologian, philosopher, and saint, active during the Roman Empire
- The work is distinct from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 1782 *Confessions*
- Augustine was born in 354 and died in 430, spanning his lifetime
- The work has 44 sitelinks, indicating its recognition in knowledge bases
- Also known as *The Confessions of St. Augustine*
- Wikipedia title: *Confessions (Augustine)*
- Described as an autobiographical work by Saint Augustine in Wikidata

## FAQs
**What is *Confessions* by Saint Augustine?**
*Confessions* is an autobiographical work written by Saint Augustine between 397 and 400 AD, detailing his spiritual journey, conversion to Christianity, and theological reflections. It is a foundational text in Christian literature.

**Who wrote *Confessions*?**
Saint Augustine, a Christian theologian, philosopher, and saint, wrote *Confessions* between 397 and 400 AD. He was active during the Roman Empire and is known for his contributions to theology and philosophy.

**How does *Confessions* differ from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's *Confessions*?**
Saint Augustine's *Confessions* was written between 397 and 400 AD, while Jean-Jacques Rousseau's *Confessions* was published in 1782. Both works are autobiographical but reflect different historical and theological contexts.

**What genre does *Confessions* belong to?**
*Confessions* is an autobiographical work, a subgenre of literary works and biographies. It is written by the subject, making it a personal and introspective account of Augustine's life.

**Why is *Confessions* significant?**
*Confessions* is significant as a foundational text in Christian literature, offering insights into Augustine's spiritual journey and theological reflections. It remains influential in discussions of faith, morality, and self-examination.

## Why It Matters
*Confessions* is a cornerstone of Christian literature, providing a deeply personal and theological account of Augustine's life. Written during a time of significant religious and philosophical upheaval, the work reflects Augustine's struggles with sin, his conversion to Christianity, and his evolving understanding of faith. As an autobiographical work, it offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the search for meaning, making it a timeless text in discussions of spirituality and morality. Its influence extends beyond its historical context, shaping theological thought and inspiring later works on self-reflection and faith.

## Notable For
- One of the earliest known autobiographical works in Western literature
- A foundational text in Christian theology and philosophy
- Provides a personal and theological account of Augustine's spiritual journey
- Written during the Roman Empire, reflecting its religious and cultural context
- Distinct from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's *Confessions* in both time and content
- Recognized in knowledge bases with 44 sitelinks, indicating its scholarly recognition

## Body
### Overview
*Confessions* is an autobiographical work by Saint Augustine, written between 397 and 400 AD. It is a deeply personal account of Augustine's spiritual journey, covering his early life, conversion to Christianity, and theological reflections. The work is divided into 13 books, each exploring different aspects of Augustine's life and faith.

### Augustine's Life and Context
Saint Augustine was born in 354 and died in 430, spanning his lifetime. He was a theologian, philosopher, and saint, active during the Roman Empire. His work reflects the religious and cultural context of his time, including the tensions between Christianity and paganism.

### Genre and Classification
*Confessions* is classified as a literary work and an autobiography. It is written by the subject, making it a personal and introspective account of Augustine's life. The work is distinct from other autobiographical works, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau's *Confessions*, which was published in 1782.

### Theological and Philosophical Significance
The work is significant in Christian theology and philosophy, offering insights into Augustine's spiritual journey and theological reflections. It remains influential in discussions of faith, morality, and self-examination.

### Recognition and Influence
*Confessions* has 44 sitelinks, indicating its recognition in knowledge bases. It is also known as *The Confessions of St. Augustine* and is titled *Confessions (Augustine)* on Wikipedia. The work's influence extends beyond its historical context, shaping theological thought and inspiring later works on self-reflection and faith.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BBC Things