Marcus Aurelius

NAME: Marcus Aurelius

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Marcus Aurelius is renowned as one of the most significant Stoic philosophers and the last of the "Five Good Emperors" of the Roman Empire.

BIRTH: Marcus Aurelius was born on April 26, 121 AD, in Rome, Italy.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: He was born into a prominent and wealthy Roman family, the gens Aurelia. His father, Marcus Annius Verus (d. 124 AD), was a distinguished Roman politician who lived in the 2nd century, served as a praetor 

In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius, who was only about 3 years old when his father died, says of him: "From what I heard of my father and my memory of him, modesty and manliness."

Marcus's mother, Domitia Lucilla Minor was the daughter of the Roman patrician P. Calvisius Tullus and inherited a great fortune.

CHILDHOOD: Marcus Aurelius was raised by his mother and grandfather. He had a privileged upbringing, surrounded by the cultural and intellectual atmosphere of Rome.

EDUCATION: He received an excellent education, studying rhetoric, literature, and philosophy under the guidance of prominent tutors. He studied Greek and Latin under such tutors as Herodes Atticus and Marcus Cornelius Fronto.

CAREER RECORD: Marcus Aurelius embarked on a political career, holding various administrative and military positions before ascending to the throne. His resume reads:

Roman Consul (140, 145, 161 AD)

Co-Emperor with Lucius Verus (161-169 AD)

Sole Emperor (169-180 AD)

His reign was marked by constant military campaigns against Germanic tribes and the Parthian Empire.

APPEARANCE: He was described as having a dignified and austere appearance, with a prominent beard.

Bust of Marcus Aurelius 

FASHION: Marcus Aurelius likely dressed in the traditional Roman attire of his time, consisting of a toga and tunica, reflecting his status as a Roman aristocrat.

CHARACTER: He was known for his wisdom, integrity, and devotion to duty, embodying the Stoic virtues of self-discipline and rationality.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Little is known about his sense of humor, but his writings suggest a pragmatic and serious personality.

RELATIONSHIPS: Marcus Aurelius married Faustina the Younger in 145 AD. History hasn't exactly been kind to her reputation.  Some Roman gossips painted Faustina as a bit of a poisoner and instigator, while others hinted she might have strayed a bit in the loyalty department.  It's hard to say for sure, but one thing is clear: Marcus seemed devoted to her, despite the rumours. They even travelled together on his military campaigns, and Faustina was quite popular with the soldiers.

Marcus and Faustina had at least 14 children during their 30-year marriage, including Commodus who succeeded him as Emperor. 

MONEY AND FAME: As emperor, Marcus Aurelius wielded immense wealth and power, but he was known for his frugality and modesty.

FOOD AND DRINK: He likely enjoyed the lavish banquets and delicacies typical of Roman aristocracy but may have also practiced moderation in his diet.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Marcus Aurelius appreciated the arts and supported the cultural flourishing of Rome during his reign.

LITERATURE: He was a prolific writer and philosopher, leaving behind the famous collection of Stoic reflections known as Meditations.

Meditations is a goldmine of practical wisdom on living a good life, even when the barbarians are at the gate and the plumbing's on the fritz.  It's a book that's been inspiring people for centuries. 

NATURE: Marcus Aurelius had a deep reverence for nature and often reflected on its beauty and harmony in his writings.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: He likely participated in traditional Roman pastimes such as hunting, horseback riding, and attending gladiatorial games.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Marcus Aurelius was interested in the sciences and mathematics, although his philosophical writings focused more on ethics and metaphysics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: He embraced Stoicism as his guiding philosophy, emphasizing inner tranquility, virtue, and acceptance of fate.

Meditations is a collection of personal writings that offer timeless wisdom on living a virtuous life. It explores themes of duty, living a good life, and accepting one's fate. 

SCANDAL: Marcus Aurelius was known for his moral integrity, and there are no significant scandals associated with his reign.

MILITARY RECORD: He was an accomplished military leader, leading campaigns against Germanic tribes along the northern frontier of the Roman Empire  for nearly a decade and also campaigned against the Parthian Empire in the east. .

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Marcus Aurelius maintained good health throughout much of his life, although he suffered from various ailments in his later years.

HOMES: As emperor, he resided in the imperial palaces of Rome and occasionally traveled throughout the empire.

TRAVEL: Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who spent a significant portion of his reign on the move.  The vastness of the empire demanded his presence for military campaigns, diplomatic negotiations, and administrative duties.

Much of his travel was dictated by war. These campaigns took him far from Rome, to frontier regions and cities throughout the empire.

Beyond military concerns, Marcus Aurelius traveled to various provinces to address local issues, inspect infrastructure, and maintain stability.

His travels were about as glamorous as a root canal performed in a bumpy cart.  Think freezing nights in drafty tents, questionable food options (mystery stew, anyone?), and the constant threat of catching whatever plague was doing the rounds in the Roman army.  Not exactly a relaxing spa weekend.

DEATH: Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180 AD, in Vindobona (modern-day Vienna) while on a military campaign against the Marcomanni tribe. The exact cause of death is unknown, but the most likely culprit is the plague that was ravaging the Roman army at the time.

His death marked the end of the Pax Romana, an era of relative peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire.  He was succeeded by his son, Commodus, whose reign was far less stable.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Marcus Aurelius' legacy extends beyond his time.  His philosophical writings and the image of the stoic emperor have captured the imagination for centuries.

Film and Television: He has been portrayed in numerous films and documentaries, including Gladiator (2000) and the television series Rome (2005-2007).

Literature: He appears as a character in historical fiction novels and is referenced in philosophical works.

Art: He is depicted in paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Marcus Aurelius' reign was marked by both challenges and accomplishments.

Military Victories: Despite his preference for philosophy over warfare, he achieved significant military victories against Germanic tribes and the Parthians, securing the empire's borders.

Internal Stability: He maintained internal peace and stability within the empire during a turbulent period.

Economic Prosperity: The empire remained economically prosperous under his rule.

Philosophical Legacy: His most enduring achievement is his book Meditations. It remains a classic of Stoic philosophy and a source of inspiration for leaders and everyday people alike.

Augustus

NAME Augustus. his full name was Gaius Octavius Thurinus until Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and Octavian was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and heir. For the next seventeen years he was Gaius Julius Caesar. In 27BC he was given the name of Augustus meaning "venerable, grand, majestic," so until his death Augustus was known as Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Augustus is famous for being the founder of the Roman Empire and its first emperor. He brought an end to the Roman Republic and ushered in an era of relative peace and stability known as the Pax Romana.

BIRTH September 23, 63BC at Ox Heads, a small property on the Palatine Hill, very close to the Roman Forum in Rome.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Young Gaius lost his father, also confusingly called Gaius Octavius, when he was four. Pater came from a respectable but undistinguished family of the equestrian order and was governor of Macedonia before his death in 58 BC. 

More importantly, his mother Atia Balba Caesonia was the niece of a certain Julius Caesar. In 45BC Augustus' Great Uncle Julius adopted him.

Once he became emperor Augustus claimed that he had been conceived through the divine intervention of the God, Apollo.

CHILDHOOD Augustus's childhood was marked by political upheaval and civil unrest in Rome. His family's connections to Julius Caesar exposed him to the complexities of Roman politics from a young age.

EDUCATION Augustus received a thorough education in rhetoric, literature, and philosophy, as befitting his status as a member of the Roman elite. He studied under prominent teachers and orators in Rome.

Augustus was learning the art of war with the army in Illyricum (Albania) when he heard Caesar had been killed and he had been named Caesar's successor.

CAREER RECORD His resume is as follows:

47BC Julius Caesar had Gaius raised to the college of Pontifices, a major Roman priesthood, at the age of 16.
44BC After the death of his Uncle Julius, Caesar's will caused a sensation when it came to light that the then Gaius Octavian was named as his successor.

Augustus initially ruled in triumvirate with his brother-in-law Marcus Antonius Caesar (who is better known to us as that bloke Mark Antony who got friendly with Cleopatra) and Lepidus (who had been Caesar's master of horse). it was agreed that Augustus controlled the West, Antony, the East and Lepidus Africa.

36BC Lepidus attempted to seize control of Sicily. Antony nipped in and took him captive.

31BC Augustus waged war against Antony after discovering his brother-in-law's will contained provisions for Cleopatra and thus two-timed him. He defeated Antony at Actium thus becomes sole leader and master of the Roman world.  From then on he exercised a presidential type rule with a kitchen cabinet which included his third wife Livia.

30BC Augustus received the powers of a tribune, thus giving him the veto and control over assemblies.

APPEARANCE Augustus had a full flock of yellowish curly hair with two pincer shaped locks over his right eye. He was five and a half foot tall, handsome with a serene expression. A Roman nose and complexion half way between dark and fair. (3) Suetonius recorded that Augustus was “unusually handsome and graceful.”

Augustus was self conscious about his five foot six size - he used to wear platform shoes to make himself appear taller.

By Till Niermann - Wikipedia Commons

FASHION Once he became, emperor, Augustus was eager to re-establish traditional Roman values. He wore woollen clothes made by his wife to encourage women to return to their looms. In winter he wore no less than four tunics with a heavy woollen gown and beneath them a woollen chest-protector and woollen garters.

He decreed the compulsory wearing of togas in the forum.

Augustus wore a lot of purple coloured garments.

CHARACTER Augustus was known for his political acumen, diplomatic skill, and strategic vision. He was also noted for his pragmatism and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances in order to maintain his grip on power.

SENSE OF HUMOUR While Augustus had a reputation for seriousness and solemnity, he was known to appreciate wit and humor in others, even if he did not display it himself.

When a certain Roman noblemen died with huge debts, Augustus instructed his agent to buy at the estates auction the man's pillow. The emperor explained "that pillow must be particularly conducive to sleep if its late owner, in spite of all his debts, could sleep on it."

RELATIONSHIPS Augustus married three times. His first wife, Clodia Pulchra, was the step daughter of Mark Antony. they married for political reasons. Not much is known about their marriage and little information survives about Clodia. Their marriage was never consummated, and Augustus returned Clodia to her mother with a letter informing her that he was returning her in "mint" condition.

Augustus wed his second wife, Scribonia, again for political reasons and basically he hated her. She was older than him by several years and the marriage didn't last long. Augustus divorced her due to her constant nagging, and because he wanted to get hitched to the lovely Livia Drusilla. Scriboia bore Augustus, only natural child, Julia. Her birth occurred on the same day as Scribonia's divorce from Augustus on October 30, 39 BC.

Augustus married his third wife, Livia Drusilla (58BC – 29AD)  on January 17, 38BC. She was his one true love. The lovely Livia, who was formerly the wife of Tiberius Claudius, was beautiful, ruthless and a fashion icon. She was was well known for anointing herself with more oil than a piece of cod in a fish and chip shop. 

Augustus loved her but also cheated on her. 

Livia bore him no children but she did bring to their marriage two sons, Tiberius and Drusus Germanicus (who served as a general under Tiberius), by a previous marriage. Drusus died during his reign, leaving Tiberius, to succeed Augustus. Livia lived to the grand old age of 71, which was exceptional in times when the average life expectancy was 45 years.

Bust of Livia Musée Saint-Raymond

Augustus' daughter Julia was prominent as an adulteress, despite marrying the Roman general Marcus Agrippa. She lived in a highly extravagant and depraved life style so her father banished her in 2BC to the barren island of Pandateria and he never allowed her name to be spoken again in his presence. She never returned to Rome.

On the death of Augustus' second grandson in 4AD, (the other one died in 2AD) he adopted formally his stepson Tiberius and his friend Agrippa's son Agrippa Postumus.

Among Augustus' friends were the poets Ovid, Horace and Virgil as well as the historian Livy. 

MONEY AND FAME Augustus amassed vast wealth and power during his reign as emperor, becoming one of the most influential figures in Roman history.

Augustus lived a simple lifestyle, (well, relatively simple for a Roman emperor) 

He held lotteries to help finance building projects and to give away property and slaves during Saturnalian feats and other entertainments.

Roman rulers understood little about economics, and Augustus was no exception. Like all the Emperors, he over-taxed agriculture and spent the revenue on armies, temples, and games. Once the Empire stopped expanding, and had no more loot coming in from conquests, its economy began to stagnate and eventually decline. The reign of Augustus is thus seen in some ways as the high point of Rome's power and prosperity.

FOOD AND DRINK Famously sober, Augustus only drunk three cups of wine with his meal. (They would have been diluted with water).

Augustus didn't have a large appetite but was very fond of asparagus and originated a saying, "Quicker than you can cook asparagus.” In the Roman Empire asparagus was not only eaten in season but was dried for later use. Apart from asparagus the emperor preferred the food of the common people and his diet consisted of coarse bread, a little fish, cheese and green figs.

MUSIC AND ARTS Augustus was a patron of the arts and encouraged the development of literature, poetry, and architecture during his reign. He sponsored the construction of many public buildings and monuments in Rome.

LITERATURE Augustus himself was a writer known for his simple and direct style. He published an account of his reign My Achievements, a much fatter tome than some of his successors.

His reign was known as the "Augustian Age", and a golden age for literature- Horace, Livy, Ovid, Virgil etc.

Augustus' pal Virgil was commissioned to transform existing fables into a coherent masterpiece supplying Augustus' Julian ancestry with a mythical warrant. Thus Virgil wrote The Aeneid.

NATURE Augustus had a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the Italian countryside, which he often visited for leisure and relaxation.

His subjects would train birds which make complimentary greetings to his royal purpleness. Augustus would then bury them.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Augustus enjoyed various leisure activities, including hunting, horseback riding, and games of dice and cards.

Augustus was quite a weakling, chronic illness preventing him from exercising too much and marching with his armies. To him the words "run" and "fun" were opposites. Running was something to do when your enemy is chasing you with a knife.

He insisted on personally teaching his adopted sons to swim.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Augustus had a keen interest in science and mathematics, particularly in their applications to engineering and architecture.

I know its not really science or maths but Augustus renamed the 30 day month of Sextiles giving it the name of August to honour himself. He chose August as it had been his most successful month, in that month he had began his consulship, tamed Egypt and ended civil wars. Augustus took a day from February (which originally had 29 days every year) and added extra day to August so that his month would be on a par with July which had been named after Julius Caesar.

Augustus had a giant sundial built in 9BC with two feet truck marble slabs. Its face nearly covered three acres. It indicated hours, days and months of the year and direction of prevailing winds. Its hand was a 100 foot high Egyptian obelisk. After a few years the obelisk went out of time.

PHILOSOPHY Augustus was a strict adherent of Roman virtues in times of growing permissiveness, when divorce was prevalent and the institution of the family was threatened. He attempted to buck the trend by morality crusade, promoting marriage, family, and childbirth while discouraging luxury, "interbreeding," unrestrained sex (including prostitution and homosexuality), and adultery. It was largely unsuccessful (indeed, his own daughter was banished and subsequently perished due to it).

Augustus strongly supported the worship of Roman gods, especially Apollo, and depicted Roman defeat of Egypt as Roman gods defeating Egypt's. He sponsored Vergil's Aeneid in the hope that it would increase pride in Roman heritage. 

The emperor forbade his own deification as he didn't want to upset the upper class Romans, but willingly received all the marks of piety bestowed upon him.

Augustus is mentioned in the Bible in a clear example of a non-believer fulfilling God's will by issuing a decree that a census be taken of (Luke 2 v1) the entire Roman world. As a result Joseph and his family had to register at his home town of Bethlehem. Thus the prophecy about the Messiah being born in Bethlehem in the Old Testament book of Micah (Chapter 5 v 2) was fulfilled.

Augustus was not unfriendly towards the Jews and respected their worship and institutions.

He was very superstitious about putting left shoe on before right.

It could be argued that Augustus was a sort of early pope (bear with me) . As the head of the Roman state religion., he was given the title Pontifex Maximus (high priest), which is now used by popes.

SCANDAL Augustus's reign was not without scandal, including political intrigue, allegations of corruption, and family disputes. However, he maintained a carefully cultivated image of moral rectitude and piety throughout his life.

Augustus' daughter Julia was a fixture in the Roman gossip columns. A blatant adulteress, she lived a highly extravagant lifestyle so her father banished to a barren island.

MILITARY RECORD After pacifying Spain and Gaul and annexing Egypt, Augustus' modus operandi in his later years was diplomacy rather than outright war. The final years of his emperorship, known as "Pax Romana," was the most peaceful period Rome had had in centuries. He did this by restoring unity and orderly government to the realm after nearly a century of civil wars. 

Also, Augustus bought the army into the 0th century by making it a profession with fixed pay and length of service and a permanent fleet.

Here's a very brief summary of Octavian's august military record:

After Augustus' naval victory in Actium in 31BC, where he defeated Antony at Actium, he conquered Cleopatra's Egypt and the kingdom of the Galatians in central Turkey.

The Battle of Actium, by Laureys a Castro, painted 1672, National Maritime Museum, London

And a tragic end:

9AD His three finest legions, 15,000 men, led by General Varus were annihilated in the Teutoburg forest, Germany by the German chieftain Arminus' men. As a result Augustus died a broken man. He refused to cut his beard of hair for several months and walked about muttering "Varus, give me back my legions".

HOMES A lover of architectural splendour, Augustus claimed "I found Rome brick and left it marble", referring to improvements to Rome during his time at the top. He imposed a height limit of 80ft on tower blocks within Rome.

Augustus built his mansion on Palatine Hill, from which came the word, "palace".

He had a summer villa at Capri on the Mediterranean.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Augustus maintained a relatively robust constitution throughout his life, despite occasional bouts of illness and injury.

DEATH Augustus died on August 19, 14 AD, at the age of 75.  After becoming ill en route to his summer villa, Augustus stopped at Nola, his parental home, where his father had died 60 years before. His friends gathered round him, charioteering across from Rome. The dying emperor mumbled "Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit" ("Acta est fabula, plaudite").

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Augustus has been depicted in numerous works of art, literature, and film, often as a central figure in the history of ancient Rome

1. Augustus features in two William Shakespeare plays, Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra.

2. Brian Blessed played Augustus and Sian Phillips Livia in BBC's 1971 adaption of Robert Graves' novel I Claudius.

3. Max Pirkis played Julius Caesar's adopted successor Octavian Augustus in the 2005-07 HBO series Rome. 

ACHIEVEMENTS Augustus's most significant achievement was his establishment of the Roman Empire and his role in shaping the course of Western civilization. 

1. Augustus introduced to Rome water system, fire brigade, a police force, professional army an efficient administrative system including gathering of taxes and reorganised the welfare system including the distribution of corn.
2. His reign inspired many purple passages amongst Horace, Livy etc.
3. His grateful subjects awarded Augustus the title "Pater Patriae" (Father of his country) and on his death made him a god (Divus Augustus)
4.. Gave the world the month of August.

Sources
1. The Book of Lists 2 by David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace,

2. The Faber Book of Anecdotes by Clifton Fadiman.

3. 100 Great Kings and Queens and Rulers of the World by John Canning

4. Wikipedia

Saint Augustine of Hippo

NAME St. Augustine of Hippo

WHAT FAMOUS FOR St. Augustine of Hippo is famous for his theological writings, particularly his autobiographical work "Confessions" and his philosophical exploration of Christianity in City of God. He is also known for his influence on Christian theology, particularly in the areas of original sin, grace, and the nature of the church.

BIRTH B 354, Tagaste, now Souk-Ahras in Algeria. (A little town in the hill country of Numidia in modern day Carthage).

FAMILY BACKGROUND Augustine's father was Patricius, a coarse, hot tempered character who was unfaithful to his wife. A man of modest means, he owned a few acres of land and was baptised on his deathbed in AD371.

Augustine's mother was Monica (actually Saint Monica). In her younger days Monica was no saint, she was often drunk but a reprimand from a servant paved the way for her conversion to Christianity and the adoption of a more pious lifestyle. Her feast day is May 4th.

CHILDHOOD  Augustine's childhood was marked by his education in rhetoric and literature, as well as his early exposure to Christianity through his mother.

Augustine admitted in his autobiography Confessions, that as a boy he "told lies to my tutors, my masters and my parents all for the love of games and the craving for stage shows." Young Augustine also stole pears from a neighbour’s tree, the sin troubled him for the rest of his life.

EDUCATION Augustine started off at school at Tagaste before going to Madaura between 365-369. There he excelled and enjoyed all literary education except Greek. However he was not overly fond of school.

Saint Augustine Taken to School by Saint Monica, by Niccolò di Pietro, 1413–15

370-374 Augustine studied rhetoric at Carthage. A neighbour paid for his fees, however he got into a bad crowd. Its not known if this involved any stealing of pears.

CAREER RECORD Here is Augustine's CV:
373 -374, Augustine taught grammar at Tagaste.
375-383 Taught rhetoric at Carthage, then handed in his notice as he had heard that the students in Rome were better behaved than their loutish counterparts in Paris or Carthage. The students in Carthage were prone to cheating the teachers of their fees.
383 Taught rhetoric in Rome.
384-386, A professor of rhetoric for the imperial court at Milan
386 Converted to Christianity and renounces his career as a "gossip merchant".
386-389 Recovers from ill-health and returns to North Africa.
389-391 Set up Monastic community in Tagaste
391 Ordained Priest whilst visiting Hippo. To prevent any misunderstanding I'd better make clear that my references to Hippo in this Trivial Biography relate to the ancient name of the modern city of Annaba, Algeria, rather than a large African mammal which live mainly in and near water
395 Appointed Coadjutant Bishop to Valerius
397-430 Bishop of Hippo, where his orthodoxy prevented Catholicism being unduly influenced by alternative teaching. Augustine spent most of his time preaching and writing including his august tomes 397-401 Confessions and 413-426 City Of God.

APPEARANCE The man from Hippo was slim, clean shaven, shaven haired, sharp features. If you go by his paintings he was very fair for a North African.

The earliest known portrait of Augustine in a 6th-century fresco, Lateran, Rome

Pope John Paul II was once so taken by the French actor Gerald Depardieu’s resemblance to Augustine that he asked the French actor to impersonate the saint on a world tour.

FASHION As a prominent figure in late antiquity, Augustine would have dressed according to the fashion of his time, likely in robes or tunics befitting his status as a scholar and bishop.

CHARACTER Sensual in his younger days, after his conversion he was sensitive, humble, a spellbinding, literate speaker. A master of rhetoric, Augustine spoke in Latin in the Berber dialect of his mother.

SENSE OF HUMOUR While Augustine's writings are not known for their humor, he did possess a keen wit and a talent for satire, as evidenced in some of his polemical works.

When asked what God was doing before he created Heaven and Earth, Augustine retorted, "He was creating Hell for people who ask questions like that." 

Augustine is partly to blame for the fallacy that Christians have a problem with fun. He confidently asserted that there was "no frivolous jollity" in Paradise.

RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY Augustine never married but he had several lovers prior to his conversion to Christianity. He later confessed that as a youth, he had the "most wicked sins of evil lusts." 

Augustine became a single father at the age of 18, (a son called Adeodatus meaning "a gift of God") when studying in Carthage, and he lived with his lover (her name in not known, but Augustine referred to her as "The One") for the next 14 years, until his mother found him an heiress to marry in Milan. 

Augustine said when he had to give up his lover to make a society marriage in Milan, "his heart ran blood with grief" as she went off to Africa, perhaps to a convent. However, as he had to wait two years until his fiancée came of age (she was only 11!) he took on another mistress. The flighty so and so then changed his mind about the young heiress and also left his second mistress. It was then that Augustine converted to Christianity and was during this period that he uttered his famous prayer, "give me chastity but not yet."

 By the time he was able to marry her, however, he had decided to become a Christian priest and the marriage did not happen.

After his conversion Augustine had a forceful distrust of the flesh and was influential in persuading Christians that sex is sinful. He commented shortly after his conversion: "I have decided that there is nothing I should avoid so much as marriage. I know nothing which brings the manly mind down many heights more than a woman’s caresses and that joining of bodies without which one cannot have a wife." (1).

Augustine had a close and loving relationship with his mother, Monica, whose prayers and guidance played a significant role in his conversion to Christianity. 

Saint Augustine and his mother, Saint Monica (1846) by Ary Scheffer

MONEY AND FAME Augustine's fame came primarily from his intellectual and theological contributions to Christianity rather than from wealth or worldly success.

As the Bishop of Hippo, Augustine led a community lifestyle and did not own any possessions.

FOOD AND DRINK Augustine's dietary habits were likely typical of his time and place, consisting of simple, Mediterranean fare such as bread, olives, and fish. He was known to enjoy wine in moderation.

Augustine once denounced the vegetarianism and teetotalism of the Christian Manichaean sect: "who would think they sinned if they took a little bacon and cabbage with a few mouthfuls of pure wine, but will be served at three in the afternoon with every kind of vegetable; the most exquisite of mushrooms and truffles flavoured with a wealth of spices." Contrarily in a letter to his sister’s nunnery he recommend abstinence from meat and drink.

MUSIC AND ARTS 

Post-conversion, Augustine was somewhat black and white in his artistic tastes. He was more partial to singing, "To sing is to pray twice," than poetry, "Poetry is devil's wine", or the theatre, "The theatres, those cages of uncleanness and public schools of debauchery." 

However the Hippo bish was still cautious about music, "When I happen to be moved more by the singing than what is sang, I confess to have sinned grievously & then I wish I had not heard the singing."

Tradition has it that whilst Augustine was being baptised by Saint Ambrose, the two of them improvised the "Te Deum Laudamus" (We Praise Thee O Lord) in alternate verses.

LITERATURE Augustine loved books from a young age. A prolific, persuasive and stylish writer, whose style was greatly influenced by the Roman writer Cicero, he carried on writing even when old enough to qualify for his chariot pass. 

Augustine wrote about 230 books and treatises and in addition around 350 of his sermons survive today. The Church was greatly indebted to his defence of the Gospel.

His two masterpieces are:

397-401 Confessions Augustine's spiritual autobiography, a prose poem addressed to God spread over 13 books. It told the honest, objective story of his childhood and education, his worldly ways, his search for truth, his heretical views at this stage and his conversion to Christianity. Augustine wrote a follow up Retractions about his later life, shortly before his death. In his book he recounts the sins of his youth and how even his prayers of repentance were tainted with insincerity-"Give me chastity, but not yet."

413-426 City of God Augustine's epic tome, split over 22 books, it took him 13 years to complete. Basically it was an answer to the question of why did God allow Rome to fall to the barbarians so soon after enveloping Christianity. Rome's fall was the biggest blow for civilisation until Mrs Putin gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Vladimir. 

Augustine argued that there were two cities, one earthly, Rome, which was bound to pass away in time and the other the City of God, heavenly, founded on goodness and justice which will survive the onslaught of the enemy, and will last eternally. Augustine encouraged the church to have its own empire with the Pope as king. Influenced by this, later the Pope took the emperor’s title "Pontiff" and wore the emperor's imperial robes.

423 A letter that Augustine wrote to a community of women became the main basis for the Augustinian religious communities.

NATURE Augustine often drew on images and metaphors from nature in his writings, using them to illustrate theological concepts and spiritual truths.

Here's a surprise- Augustine believed in evolution. Well, he thought that some species of plants and animals had developed from earlier creations.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Augustine's interests were primarily intellectual and spiritual rather than recreational.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Augustine was familiar with the science and mathematics of his time, but his primary focus was on theology and philosophy.

Augustine once wrote: "The good Christian should beware of mathematicians and all those who make prophecies. The danger already exists that mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to sparken the spirit and to confine man in the bonds of hell." Sounds like to me that Augustine had a disagreeable maths teacher at school. Despite his anti-mathmatical opinions, he used a great deal of numerology in his commentaries.

In Book 11 of Confessions Augustine recorded a startling, brilliant discovery. He came to see that God had not only created both time and space but had created them simultaneously and interdependently. This insight, which Augustine derived from meditation on the Bible, anticipated Einstein's theory of relativity by 1500 years. (2) So it could be argued that Augustine pioneered both Darwin and Einstein's theories- OK maybe I'm going that's going too far.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY In 386, Augustine converted to Christianity. Though he’d learnt the Christian faith from his mother, Monica, doubts had began to creep in as a result of his rhetoric studies and at the age of 19 a treatise by Cicero made him realize he should make truth his life search. For the following ten years he was attached to the heretical Manicheanism beliefs and during this time his concerned mother sent a certain bishop to debate with him. The prelate found Augustine to be too clever a disputant and the bishop counselled Monica to "content yourself with praying for him." She went to her charge weeping and he sent her away saying, "Go, continue as you have done till now; it is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish."

The Conversion of St. Augustine by Fra Angelico

Later Augustine found himself in Milan, where Bishop Ambrose's sermons began to speak to his heart but he was still too entwined in the world to convert. After reading an account of the lives of Anthony and other Egyptian hermits, Augustine was thrown into deep inner turmoil but he was still unable to break free. However whilst walking through his garden, he heard a child saying in a sing-song voice "Take it and read it." Under a fig tree, Augustine read Romans 13 v13-14 and in tears he finally found the Savior that his mother had told him about. "As if the light of peace was poured in my heart and all the shades of doubt faded away", he later wrote in his spiritual autobiography Confessions.

The following year Bishop Ambrose baptized Augustine in the Milan Easter vigil service on the night of Holy Saturday. In Confessions, Augustine described later the ceremony “I wept at the beauty of the hymns and canticles and was powerfully moved at the sweet sound of your churches singing…My feeling of devotion overflowed and the tears ran from my eyes and I was happy in them.”

Augustine returned to North Africa, where he converted his family home into a monastery for himself and a group of friends. 

During a visit to the Mediterranean port of Hippo, 60 miles away, in 391, Augustine attended Mass where the local Bishop Valerius was preaching. The aged bishop, who was looking for an assistant, preached the need for another ordained man in the town. The church members decided they wanted Augustine for this post and Valerius agreed, however Augustine felt inadequate and declined. The congregation had none of protestations and he was jostled to the front of the church where he was ordained on the spot. He became a renowned preacher, his training in rhetoric came in handy and was noted for combating the Manichaean religion, to which he had previously adhered.

In 396 Augustine was appointed bishop of Hippo, in which position he remained until his death in 430. As the Hippo bishop, his orthodoxy prevented Catholicism being unduly influenced by alternative teaching. 

The great theologian developed many Catholic doctrines helping make infant baptism, belief in purgatory and the teaching that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church normal practice. In addition he encouraged ascetic monasticism and the use of relics. His teachings that no one can really love God or believe in him properly until the grace of God comes to them influenced Luther and Calvin.

SCANDAL In his early life Augustine devoted himself to idle pursuits, lust and adolescent mischief. "I became to myself a wasteland," he later recalled. Let us not forget that on one particularly scandalous occasion, Augustine stole some pears from a neighbour's tree.

Many Christians considered Augustine's doctrines of predestination and salvation through God's grace to be a disturbing innovation.

In the early Middle Ages it was believed (from Augustine’s teaching) that children were damned to hell unless they were baptised. This caused a great deal of grief to parents who’d lost their children.

Tragically many in the church misunderstood Augustine's book City of God as their interpretation of his tome is that the church should have its own empire ruled by bishops.

Augustine used Luke 14v 23 to justify the use of force in the suppression of rivals. This was later to influence the Inquisition.

MILITARY RECORD In AD 410 Rome was sacked by Barbarians. The people questioned why Rome, two decades after Theosidius had formally ended the public worship of pagan Gods, had fallen. Augustine wrote City of God to answer this tricky question.

HOMES 370 Moved to Carthage at the age of 17.
383-387 Lived in Rome then Milan with his Mother, girlfriend and Son. In the winter of 386-87 he stayed in a country villa in Classicalism nursing ill-health. It had been loaned by a friend.
389-91 Augustine settled in Tagaste with a few friends in a community thus introducing monasticism to Central North Africa.
391- 430 As Bishop he lived in a community with his cathedral community in Hippo, a small but not necessarily muddy seaport, now known as Annaba, sixty miles from his birthplace in Algeria.

TRAVEL Augustine traveled extensively throughout North Africa and Italy, both for educational purposes and in his capacity as a bishop and theologian. Apparently he hated travelling especially sea travelling.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Often sick, in the summer of 386 Augustine was forced to give up his academic position in Milan due to ill-health.

In his early writings Augustine argued that healing was meant for Jesus and the New Testament Christians only and that believers should not look for a continuation of the practice. Later, in his book Retractions he appeared to have changed his mind because of his experiences as Bishop of Hippo. He wrote: “I realized how many miracles were occurring in our own day and which were so like the miracles of old…how wrong it would be to allow the memory of these marvels of Divine power to perish from among our people.”

DEATH He passed away aged 76 in Hippo on August 28, 430, while the Vandals were besieging his Episcopal city. As he lay dying, Augustine had the penitential psalms copied on parchment and fixed to the wall of his room so he could read them from bed.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA 1. Augustine of Hippo A 1972 Italian film, which is meant to be quite good in an arty sort of way, it was directed by Roberto Rossellini.
2. Bob Dylan's "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" is a track from his 1968 John Wesley Harding album 
3. Sting's "Saint Augustine in Hell" is featured on his 1993 Ten Summoners Tales album.
4. Botticelli's famous fresco Saint Augustine (1480) at the Church of the Ognissanti, Florence. (See Below).
5. El Greco's masterpiece, The Burial of Count Orgaz (1586) features Augustine, along with Saint Stephen looking down on Count Orgaz as his soul rises to Heaven. This painting can be found today in the Church of Santo Tome, Toledo, Spain.

ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Saint Augustine is recognised as the founder of the Puritan philosophy, 1000 years before it became en vogue. He laid out the lines between predestination and free will, grace and works.

2. The Hippo bishop is the patron Saint of Brewers, (no I'm not sure why). His feast day is 28th August.
3. Saint Augustine developed many Catholic doctrines- he helped make infant baptism normal practice. In addition he encouraged ascetic monasticism, the use of relics, belief in purgatory and the teaching that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church.
4. He encouraged religious communities and inspired the Augustinians, who follow the rule of St. Augustine. Today there still exist about 100 Augustine communities. The Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, who looked after sick and injured pilgrims and crusaders were Augustinians .
5. Saint Augustine was one of the four original Doctors of the Church.
6. St. Augustine a 16th century settlement in Florida, is the oldest town in the USA.
7. More of Saint Augustine's words survive than those of any other writer of antiquity.
8. The City of God encouraged the church to have it’s own empire with the Pope as king.

Sources
(1). Christian History 2000 vol 19 issue 3 pg 36
(2) http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/2007/issue94/1.6.html
And in various places (but not that many!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo

St. Augustine of Canterbury

NAME St Augustine of Canterbury

WHAT FAMOUS FOR St. Augustine of Canterbury is famous for being a Benedictine monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and played a crucial role in the Christianization of Anglo-Saxon England.

BIRTH St. Augustine was born around the year 540 AD in Rome, Italy. (sorry I can't be any more specific than that).

FAMILY BACKGROUND Little is known about Augustine's family background, but he likely came from a Roman family of modest means.

CHILDHOOD Details about Augustine's childhood are scarce, but it is presumed he grew up in Rome during a period of political and cultural upheaval in the Western Roman Empire. 

He once spent six weeks just sleeping and drinking; the first six weeks of his life.

EDUCATION Augustine received a thorough education in Latin and Christian theology, likely within the Christian community of Rome. He later joined the Benedictine monastic order, where he would have received further theological training.

When Augustine got to England he found, due to the Britons’ ignorance of Latin, he had to build schools so that people could understand what was going on in the churches. After all Latin was the HOLY language.

Augustine founded Kings School Canterbury. It is the oldest still existing school in Britain and maybe the world

The Benedictine Abbey he established at Canterbury became the centre of learning and scholarship for all Europe.

CAREER RECORD Augustine was a respected Abbot of St Andrew Monastery in Rome, when in 595 AD, Pope Gregory the Great appointed him to lead a mission to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.  

597 Augustine arrived in Kent in 597 AD and was welcomed by King Æthelberht.

597-604 Consecrated Bishop of the English at Arles Cathedral, France. For the next seven years Augustine was the patriarch of the English Christians- indeed the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

APPEARANCE Augustine was Mediterranean looking, tall, distinguished. His lofty stature and patrician presence attracted every eye for he was "taller than any of the people from his shoulders and upwards."

Portrait labelled "AUGUSTINUS" from the mid-8th century Saint Petersburg Bede

FASHION As a monk, Augustine would have worn simple robes in accordance with the Benedictine tradition.  After being consecrated Bishop of the English, Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine a cape of lamb's wool to denote he had been given jurisdiction over the whole nation.

CHARACTER Augustine was known for his piety and dedication to his mission of spreading Christianity. He was also noted for his diplomatic skills in dealing with both secular authorities and rival Christian faction

Augustine was an efficient organiser with dictatorial tendencies. 

At times not exactly Captain Humble, on one occasion after boasting to Pope Gregory of the 10,000 English pagans he'd converted, Augustine was warned by the pope against being led into sin through boastfulness.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Little is known about Augustine's sense of humor, but as a devout monk engaged in serious religious work, he likely had a sober demeanor.

RELATIONSHIPS Augustine had a close relationship with Pope Gregory the Great, who appointed him as the leader of the mission to England. He also developed a strong bond with King Ethelbert of Kent, whose conversion to Christianity paved the way for the spread of the faith in England.

MONEY AND FAME Augustine's fame came from his role as the leader of the mission to England and his subsequent establishment of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. He lived a simple, monastic life and likely did not seek personal wealth or fame.

FOOD AND DRINK  As a monk, Augustine would have followed the dietary restrictions of his order, which likely included abstaining from meat on certain days and limiting consumption of rich foods and alcohol.

Augustine encouraged the Britons to slaughter animals for their own food rather than sacrificing them to the devil.

MUSIC AND ARTS Augustine's primary focus was on preaching and teaching Christianity, rather than on music and the arts.

LITERATURE Augustine is known for his writings on Christian theology and ecclesiastical matters, although he did not leave behind a large body of literary work. The only surviving writings of Augustine are questions he asked Pope Gregory on behalf of the Anglo Saxons such as "Can expectant mothers be baptised?" He referred to the English in those writings as "uncouth"

The arrival of Catholic Christianity in Briton had a great impact on the English language. Words of Latin and Greek origins became used to express concepts and ideas that were new to Anglo Saxons. Examples of such terms are altar, angel, apostles, candle, disciples, martyr, mass, monk, pope, priest, psalm, shrine and toaster (only joking about the last one-just checking you're paying attention). Non religious terms of Latin and Greek origin that entered the English language at the time included cook, fever and school. (1)

The Bible sent by Pope Gregory the Gregory to Augustine for his English trip can be found in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

NATURE Augustine likely had an appreciation for the natural world as a reflection of God's creation, but little is known about his specific views on nature.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Augustine boasted of having put on a number of gladiatorial shows involving in total 10,000 men and 3,500 animals.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Augustine's education would have included a basic understanding of arithmetic and geometry, as well as the natural sciences as they related to theology.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Don't believe the stories that prior to Saint Augustine, the Britons were absolute beginners on Christianity. St Martins Church, Canterbury, was in working order before the tall Roman abbot arrived, in fact its font is reputed to be the one in which Augustine baptised King Ethelbert in. 

Christianity had reached Great Briton in Roman times but the invading Angles, Jutes and Saxons in the 5th century had wiped it out in the eastern half of England. The Celtic Church in Wales and the West of England remained strong. What Augustine did was to introduce the Catholic Church to England.

Here is the story of Saint Augustine's mission. In 595 Pope Gregory I spotted some Angles (British) boys who have been bought to Rome and on being told they are pagan “angli” the pope exclaimed “They are not Angles but Angels”. Inspired he instructed Augustine, who was then a respected abbot, to lead a mission to convert Britain. “Certainly do not destroy the temples of the idols that the English have”, he wisely recommended, “sprinkle them with holy water and let altars be constructed.”

Augustine and his company of 40 monks from the See of St Peter and Paul got as far as Aix-en-Provence in France. So terrifying were the reports they heard of the savage Britons that the Catholic missionary returned to Rome for permission to give up the attempt. 

Pope Gregory would have none of this yellow streak and ordered him to carry on. They recruited an interpreter in France and finally in 597 Augustine landed in Kent at Ebbsfleet on the east coast of Kent with his 40 monks. There he met King Ethelbert, King of Kent, whose Frankish wife, Bertha was a Christian. 

Ethelbert was originally very suspicious of Augustine as he was brought up to believe priests practised magic. Rumour had it that Augustine could make tails grow on the backs of those who displeased him. Ethelbert met the tall Roman abbot in the open air rather than under cover to protect himself against the abbot's magic. 

The king listened patiently to the abbot’s sermon and promised the monks shelter and protection at Canterbury. He considered the claims of the Catholic missionary for a time before converting and on June 2, 597 he was baptized. 

Augustine sent a report of this encouraging progress to the Pope and Gregory responded by dispatching more missionaries to help with the work.

By the end of the year there were around 10,000 converts and Augustine travelled to Arles in France, where he was consecrated. He established his HQ at St Martins Church Canterbury which became Canterbury Cathedral. Before Augustine's arrival, Bertha had used the church to pray daily.

In 603 a conference was planned between seven Celtic bishops who were accompanied by their learned men and Augustine to discuss whether the Celtic church should continue to follow their own traditions or those that Augustine has introduced to South East England.

A holy and prudent hermit told the bishops that they should only listen to Augustine if he is truly a man of God. If this were the case he would rise from his seat to greet them showing himself to be meek and lowly of heart rather than proud. The bishops regarded this to be good advice but when they arrived, Augustine remained in his seat. The Celts becamee angry perceiving him to be a proud man and the discussions got nowhere. (2)

The following year Augustine died. He has been unable to take his message outside the south or east of England as the Celtic Christians in the west half of Britain wanted to remain independent of this new Catholic Church. However King Ethelbert, King of Kent, was instrumental in converting the neighbouring King Sabert of the East Saxons in whose territory he built the cathedral of St Paul in London.

England was finally won over by 680, the Isle of Wight being the last area to succumb to the Catholic faith . It wasn't until 786 that the Pope sent anyone else to the British Isles.

SCANDAL There are no recorded scandals associated with Augustine of Canterbury.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Little is known about Augustine's health, but as a monk, he likely lived a disciplined and healthy lifestyle.

HOMES Back home in Rome, Augustine lived at St Andrew monastery. On arriving in Kent, a residence was assigned to Augustine and his 40 monks by King Ethelbert at Canterbury where they devoted themselves to monastic exercises and preaching. (Canterbury was actually then known as "Cant-wara-byru").

TRAVEL On their way to England every step of the way, Augustine and his party of 40 read the terrifying stories of the cruelty and barbarity of their future hosts. Augustine was "struck with a cowardly fear." By the time they reached Aix-en-Provence in France, the stories had become so frightening that for a time they turned back before they persuaded them to proceed on.

DEATH St. Augustine of Canterbury died on May 26, 604 AD, in Canterbury, England. The shrine containing Augustine's body disappeared from Chilham Church in 1541.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA St. Augustine of Canterbury has been depicted in various historical and religious texts, as well as in works of art depicting the spread of Christianity in England.

ACHIEVEMENTS Augustine's most significant achievement was his successful establishment of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England, laying the foundation for the Christianization of the country and the growth of the Church in the region.

1. Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury and made Canterbury the seat of authority for the church in England. He provided the basis from which the parish system has grown.
2. Saint Augustine's feast day is May 28 in Britain and May 26 in other countries.
3. Augustine founded the first monasteries in Britain at St Peters and St Paul and St Augustines in Canterbury.
4. Augustine bought the Benedictine order to England. A number of Oxford and Cambridge colleges have a Benedictine origin.
5. The tall Roman abbot succeeded into making many Angles into right angles.

Sources:

1 The Guinness Book of Words by Martin Manser.
2. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints by Donald Attwater
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Augustine_of_Canterbury

Saint Audrey

NAME: Saint Audrey (also known as Saint Etheldreda or Saint Æthelthryth of Ely)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Saint Audrey is primarily known for her piety, devotion to celibacy, and founding of the monastery at Ely.

BIRTH: Saint Audrey was born around the year 636 in Exning, Suffolk, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Audrey was born into the Anglo-Saxon nobility. Her father, Anna, was King of East Anglia, and her mother was Saewara. Her siblings included saints Wendreda and Seaxburh

CHILDHOOD: Little is known about Audrey's childhood, but as a noblewoman, she likely received education suitable for girls of her status, focusing on household management, religion, and etiquette.

Daughter number four to King Anna of East Anglia, Audrey wasn't your typical princess. Forget about balls and marrying some prince charming. Nope, Audrey had her sights set on a higher power – literally. She swore a vow of staying single forever

EDUCATION: Audrey would have received education typical for noble girls of her time, which would have included instruction in Christian doctrine and basic literacy.

CAREER RECORD: Audrey's career was largely shaped by her religious devotion and commitment to the Church.

Queen of Northumbria (briefly) after marrying King Ecgfrith

Abbess of Ely Abbey, which she founded

APPEARANCE: While descriptions of Audrey's appearance are scarce, as a noblewoman, she would have likely adhered to the grooming and attire expected of her station. Below is Saint Æthelthryth of Ely from the Benedictional of St. Æthelwold, illuminated manuscript in the British Library.

FASHION: As a member of the Anglo-Saxon nobility, Audrey would have worn garments reflecting the fashion of her time, likely consisting of layers of tunics, cloaks, and veils.

CHARACTER: Saint Audrey was known for her piety, humility, and dedication to the Christian faith.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: There is little record of Audrey's sense of humor, but her life was more characterized by her religious devotion.

RELATIONSHIPS: Though twice married, because Saint Audrey had taken a vow of perpetual virginity she remained celebrate all her life.

Her marriages weren't exactly love matches. Think of them more like political alliances your parents pressure you into. But Audrey being Audrey, she managed to convince both husbands to respect her, ahem, "preferences."

Things got a little hairy with husband number two, Ecgfrith of Northumbria, who was fourteen or fifteen at the time., had a serious case of wanderlust (in his marital bed, that is). Audrey, wanting no part of it, hightailed it back to the Isle of Ely, a place that would become her spiritual sanctuary.  Here, she founded a monastery and became its head honcho, the abbess.

She maintained close ties with her family, including her saintly sisters.

Audrey's most significant relationship was her spiritual commitment to God. She is said to have remained celibate throughout her life.

MONEY AND FAME: As a member of the royal family, Audrey would have had access to wealth and resources, which she later used to support religious causes.

FOOD AND DRINK: Audrey would have likely enjoyed the typical Anglo-Saxon fare of her time, consisting of grains, meats, vegetables, and ale.

MUSIC AND ARTS: As a noblewoman, Audrey may have had exposure to music and art, particularly within the context of religious ceremonies and patronage.

LITERATURE: Audrey's education would have likely included instruction in Christian texts, but her personal literary pursuits are not well-documented.

NATURE: Audrey may have had an appreciation for the natural world, as it was often seen as a reflection of God's creation in medieval Christian thought.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Audrey's life was largely focused on her religious duties, leaving little time for recreational pursuits.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Audrey's education would have included basic arithmetic and practical mathematics but likely did not extend to the more advanced sciences of her time.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Audrey's life was deeply rooted in Christian theology, and her piety was central to her identity.

SCANDAL: There are no recorded scandals associated with Saint Audrey.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Audrey's health is not extensively documented, but her life of asceticism and devotion likely contributed to her overall well-being.

HOMES: Audrey's primary residence was likely her family's estate in Exning, Suffolk, although she later founded a monastery at Ely.

TRAVEL: Audrey likely traveled within the region, particularly for religious purposes, but extensive travel was uncommon for women of her time and station.

DEATH AND LEGACY: Saint Audrey developed a breast tumor, which she blamed on wearing rich necklaces of jewels as a child, and she died of it on June 23, 679, at the monastery she founded in Ely, Cambridgeshire,

The most venerated of all Anglo-Saxon female saints, Audrey was honored with the passing of years by the establishment of many sanctuaries, People flocked to her shrine (which is now Ely Cathedral) and even had a special fair in her honor.  At this fair, they sold these delicate lace doodads called "St. Audrey's lace." Pretty harmless, right? Wrong.  Over time, the quality went downhill, and "St. Audrey's lace" became synonymous with cheap, tacky junk.  And that, is how we ended up with the word "tawdry." 

Below is Saint  Audrey's statue in Ely Cathedral

By Jim Linwood - originally posted to Flickr Wikipedia

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Saint Audrey has been depicted in various religious texts, hagiographies, and works of art throughout the centuries.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Founded Ely Abbey, a significant religious institution in England.

Venerated as a saint, inspiring religious devotion for centuries.

Clement Attlee

NAME: Clement Attlee

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1945-1951) and Leader of the Labour Party (1935-1955). Overseeing the creation of the National Health Service and the decolonization of India. significant post-war reforms, including the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS).

BIRTH: He was born on January 3, 1883, in Putney, Surrey, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Attlee was born into a middle-class family. His father was a solicitor, and his family had a strong tradition of public service.

CHILDHOOD: Attlee grew up in a comfortable environment, with access to education and opportunities for personal development.

EDUCATION: He attended Haileybury College, a prestigious boarding school, and then University College, Oxford, where he studied Modern History.  He graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1904 with second-class honours.

CAREER RECORD: After briefly working as a barrister Atlee worked as a social worker in the East End of London. He then entered politics, rising through the ranks of the Labour Party to become its leader and eventually Prime Minister.

Attlee's government wasn't about fancy speeches or grandiose gestures. It was about getting things done. Nationalizing industries, creating a National Health Service – a system from "cradle to grave" as they envisioned it. Attlee wasn't flashy, but he was effective. He wasn't a war hero like Churchill, but he oversaw the quiet rebuilding of a shattered nation.

APPEARANCE: Attlee was short and slight. He was known for his unassuming and modest appearance,  often described as unremarkable compared to other political figures of his time.

Attlee in 1950. By Winterbergen - Wikipedia

FASHION: He typically wore traditional suits, reflecting his conservative and practical approach to dress.

CHARACTER: Attlee was characterized as quiet, pragmatic, and deeply committed to social reform and equality. He was known for his integrity, humility, work ethic and calmness under pressure. He was often underestimated due to his unassuming demeanor.

In 1945, the war was over, Churchill was out, and in shuffled Attlee as the new Prime Minister, a man so unassuming and laconic he and King George VI  stood for some minutes in silence, before Attlee finally volunteered the remark "I've won the election." The King reportedly replied "I know. I heard it on the Six O'clock News."

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Attlee had a dry and understated sense of humor, often delivering witty remarks with a deadpan delivery.

RELATIONSHIPS: A trip to Italy with some friends in 1921 led to a whirlwind romance with Violet Millar. They married at Christ Church, Hampstead, on January 10, 1922. Their devoted partnership saw Violet create a calm home for Attlee amidst the political storms.

Attlee and Violet had four children together. 

He had close relationships with fellow Labour Party members and political allies.

MONEY AND FAME: Attlee's focus was more on public service and political ideology rather than personal wealth or fame. When he died, his estate was sworn for probate purposes at a modest value of £7,295.

FOOD AND DRINK: Attlee had simple tastes and was not particularly known for indulgence in food or drink.

MUSIC AND ARTS: He enjoyed classical music and theatre.

LITERATURE: Attlee had a keen interest in history and political theory, often drawing inspiration from literature related to governance and social justice.

NATURE: Attlee enjoyed spending time outdoors and had a respect for nature, but it wasn't a dominant aspect of his life or career.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Attlee's leisure activities were often overshadowed by his political commitments, but he enjoyed walking and gardening as forms of relaxation.

Attlee played football for non-League club Fleet in his youth. His aunt lived in a house that backed onto the ground.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While not explicitly known for his interest in science and mathematics, Attlee's policies often reflected a pragmatic and evidence-based approach to governance.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Attlee's political philosophy was grounded in socialism and a belief in the importance of collective responsibility and social welfare. 

 Attlee grew up with Conservative views but volunteering at a club for underprivileged East End boys in 1906, he got a hefty dose of reality. The poverty there was a gut punch. Charity, he realized, was like sticking a plaster on a gaping wound. You needed major surgery, and that meant government action. So, Attlee ditched the bowler hat for the red flag, converting to full-blown socialism.

Despite a family steeped in faith – a brother serving as a clergyman and a sister as a missionary – Clement Attlee himself remained a curious case. He once described himself as "incapable of religious feeling," valuing the ethical teachings of Christianity but dismissing its more fantastical elements as "mumbo-jumbo." When pressed on whether he was agnostic, Attlee offered a typically understated reply: "I don't know."

SCANDAL: Attlee's political career was largely free from scandal, with a focus on policy and governance rather than personal controversies.

MILITARY RECORD: World War I saw Attlee as a captain, dodging bullets at Gallipoli and enduring a bout of dysentery that probably left him with a lifelong aversion to dodgy kebabs. He even held the dubious honor of being the last-but-one man to be evacuated from Suvla Bay.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Attlee maintained relatively good health throughout his life, despite the stresses of political leadership.

A revolution in healthcare arrived in 1948 with the National Health Service Act. This act brought the National Health Service (NHS) to life in England and Wales.

HOMES: Attlee lived in various locations throughout his life, including London and Buckinghamshire.

TRAVEL: Attlee traveled extensively as Prime Minister, representing the UK on the world stage and participating in international conferences and diplomacy.

DEATH: Clement Attlee passed away on October 8, 1967, in Westminster, London, leaving behind a legacy of social reform and political leadership.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Attlee's leadership and legacy have been portrayed in various films, television shows, and documentaries, highlighting his role in shaping post-war Britain and the Labour Party's history.

ACHIEVEMENTS:  Attlee's most significant achievement was leading the Labour Party to victory in the 1945 general election and implementing transformative social reforms, including the establishment of the NHS, nationalization of key industries, and the creation of the welfare state. His tenure as Prime Minister laid the foundation for modern British social policy and left a lasting impact on the country.

Attila the Hun

NAME Attila the Hun. Called "Scourge of God" by the Romans, "Etzel" by the Germans, "Ethele" by the Hungarians and something unrepeatable by a lot of people.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Attila the Hun is famous for being one of the most fearsome and successful military leaders of the ancient world. He led the Huns, a nomadic people from Central Asia, in a series of devastating campaigns across Europe during the 5th century AD, earning him the nickname "The Scourge of God."

BIRTH Attila the Hun was born around 406 AD, possibly in Pannonia, which is now part of modern-day Hungary.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Young Attila was a member of the ruling family of the Huns. His father was Mundzuk, and his uncle was Rugila, who preceded him as king of the Huns. Rugila was a major factor in the Huns' early victories over the Roman Empire

CHILDHOOD Not much is known about Attila's childhood, but it's likely he was raised within the warrior culture of the Huns, learning the skills necessary for leadership and warfare from a young age.

EDUCATION Attila's education would have been primarily focused on the traditions and strategies of Hunnic warfare, passed down through oral tradition within his tribe. Attila was illiterate.

CAREER RECORD Here's Attila's CV
434 Attila succeeded his father as joint chieftain. For a time he ruled jointly with his elder brother Bleda but murdered him in 445. Evidently Attila was not a great believer in family values.
451 Attila leads the Huns into Gaul but is defeated by the Roman and Visigoth forces.
452 Attila raids Italy and retreats to Hungary.

Monty Python summed up a typical working day for Attila as follows:
Mr's Attila the Hun: "Have a busy day at the office?"
Attila: "Not at all bad. Another merciless sweep across central Europe."

APPEARANCE The Huns were of Mongol origin and Attila would have been yellow faced, with a thin beard, long and plaited hair and heavy moustache and a face deliberately scarred in boyhood. 

Figure of Attila in a museum in Hungary By A.Berger - Own work, Wikipedia

Priscus, a historian who travelled with Maximin on an embassy from Theodosius II in 448 described Attila as a Hun but no hunk. He said he was: "Short of stature, with a broad chest and a large head; his eyes were small, his beard thin and sprinkled with grey; and he had a flat nose and a swarthy complexion, showing the evidences of his origin." 

According to an evidently bitter Roman, he was a "hideous dwarf who rolled his eyes fiercely."

FASHION It was customary for Germanic leaders of Attila's day to powder their hair and moustache with gold dust. Others used goats grease and beech timber ashes to give their hair a glowing red colour. Attila probably did this. 

Attila would have worn short fitted tunics and either short breeches or cross-gartered trousers and crude leather shoes. When cold, he would have covered himself in an animal skin.

Attila was not interested in jewellery himself unlike some of his chieftains.

The Romans complained how much Attila and his fellow Huns smelled. The Barbarians had not got into the Roman habit of bathing.

CHARACTER Attila is often depicted as a ruthless and ambitious leader, driven by a desire for conquest and power. He was known for his strategic brilliance on the battlefield and his ability to inspire loyalty among his followers.

The scourge of God was not necessarily overcharged in the meathead department. In short, he was a toughie but was kind to women and children. As the Huns were illiterate and his enemies wrote all the accounts of Attila he got a biased anti-Attila press.

So frightening was the the sound of Attila and his fellow Huns approaching that even Daleks would flee under the bed.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Not a fun Hun; given his reputation as a fierce warrior and conqueror, Attila is not commonly associated with a sense of humor. 

RELATIONSHIPS Despite being short, squat, ugly Attila had several wives and concubines. Among his beloveds was Honoria, the sister of the western emperor Valentinian Honoria, the sister of the western emperor Valentinian III. The story goes that in 450 Attila proclaimed his intent to attack the Visigoth kingdom of Toulouse. Honoria appealed to him in despair to rescue her from an arranged marriage to an elderly Roman senator by marrying her himself. As a dowry he expected half of the western empire. When this was refused Attila stroppily invaded Gaul.

Attila's last wife was Ildico, a beautiful German. However he died on their wedding night. 

Attila's sons Ellak (his appointed successor), Dengizik, and Ernak fought over his legacy and, were defeated and scattered the following year in the battle of Nedao.

"I want you kids to get a head" Monty Python

MONEY AND FAME Attila lived in relative simplicity. However he regularly extorted vast sums in tribute from the Eastern Roman Empire and won a lot of plunder for his fellow Huns. For example the emperor of the Eastern empire promised to pay 700 pounds of gold each year to Attila and his hordes as payment for not attacking his empire. When the emperor missed some of his payments Attila invaded the region with some devastating consequences. The emperor was forced to increase his tribute.

FOOD AND DRINK As a nomadic leader, Attila likely consumed a diet consisting primarily of meat, dairy products, and grains. He may have also enjoyed fermented beverages such as mare's milk or mead.

According to the Romans the Huns drank blood. In fact Attila and his fellow Huns lived on the roots of such herbs as they could get or on the half-raw flesh of any animal which they merely warmed by rapidly placing it between their own thighs and the backs of their horses.

The historian Priscus was sent as emissary to Attila's encampment in 448. He reported that Attila ate off a wooden plate whilst his chieftains ate off silver plates. Said Priscus: "A luxurious meal, served on silver plate, had been made ready for us and the barbarian guests, but Attila ate nothing but meat on a wooden trencher. In everything else, too, he showed himself temperate; his cup was of wood, while to the guests were given goblets of gold and silver."

MUSIC AND ARTS Attila's hordes massacred and looted and burned their way across Europe. Then they reached the Roman empire. In Italy Attila occupied the Imperial Palace in Milan where he had all the paintings altered to show the Roman Emperor kneeling at his feet. So nah, he probably wasn't a culture vulture - they weren't called barbarians for nothing. 

Priscus reports that Attila and his Huns did enjoy a sing-song: "When evening began to draw in, torches were lighted, and two barbarians came forward in front of Attila and sang songs which they had composed, hymning his victories and his great deeds in war. And the banqueters gazed at them, and some were rejoiced at the songs, others became excited at heart when they remembered the wars, but others broke into tears—those whose bodies were weakened by time and whose spirit was compelled to be at rest."

LITERATURE Attila's life and exploits have been recorded in various historical texts, but he himself did not leave behind any written works.

NATURE Attila would have been intimately familiar with the natural landscapes of the Eurasian steppes, where the Huns roamed with their herds of horses and other livestock. Attila and his fellow Huns treated their swift steppe horses well.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Attila was a skilled archer. He and his fellow Huns shot their arrows from horseback at full gallop with unerring accuracy.

SCIENCE AND MATHS There is no evidence to suggest that Attila had any particular interest in science or mathematics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY  Attila had a fairly superficial Arian Christian faith which at least helped him to maintain certain high standards of Christian morality. Most of the conquering Barbarian tribes were in fact Arian Christians, so much church property was left unransacked, as they had tremendous reference for Christian relics and treasures.

Attila was referred to as the “Scourge of God” by the Romans, as they believed that he was a punishment sent for sinful Christians by God.

In 451 when Attila was on the march in Gaul the French withdrew more and more inside their country until it seemed Paris would fall. However a Christian girl, Genevieve promised the Parisians that if they prayed to God and didn't flee Attila would not come. He didn't. He was defeated at Châlons-sur-Marne and was forced to retreat. The Parisians rejoiced and Genevieve was canonised.

Attila was an autocratic ruler. He planned his campaigns without the help of any others.

SCANDAL Attila's military campaigns were often brutal and merciless, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. However, within the context of the time, such actions were not necessarily considered scandalous.

On top of all that rampaging and destructing and being the "Scourge of God" Attila murdered his brother to gain sole control of the Hunnish empire.

MILITARY RECORD Being a Barbarian one pictures Attila being as brain empty as Mother Hubbard's cupboard but he was an astute military leader even though most of his victories were over weaker enemies. 

447 Advanced through Illyria and devastated the whole region between the Black and Mediterranean Seas tearing into the opposing armies like Edward Scissorhands. Constantinople was saved as the Huns were not interested in besieging great cities.

451 Attila and his Huns invaded Gaul but was defeated by the Roman and Visigoth armies at the plains of Châlons-sur-Marne, near Troyes in one of the most terrible, bloody battles in history.

Attila retreated to the Rhine then turned his attention to Italy where after devastating North Italy, Rome was threatened. Only the personal intervention of the charismatic Pope Leo I prevented the sacking of Rome. However Attila's little secret was that he had already made up his mind to withdraw due to epidemics in his army and widespread famine. The timely intervention of the Pope helped him to save face. Below Raphael's The Meeting between Leo the Great and Attila depicts Leo, escorted by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, meeting with the Hun emperor outside Rome.

HOMES When not ravaging and pillaging Europe, Attila was based in a wooden palace in the tiny village of Tápiószentmárton in central Hungary.

TRAVEL Attila saw a lot of central Europe on horseback.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Attila would have been in excellent physical condition, as his lifestyle as a nomadic warrior would have required strength, endurance, and agility.

DEATH Attila died in 453 AD under mysterious circumstances on the night of his marriage to the beautiful German Ildico, whilst making plans to invade Constantinople. There are conflicting accounts that he was poisoned, had a severe nosebleed or according to the Roman Count Marcellinus "pierced by the hand and blade of his wife." 

When Attila died, his troops cut his hair and slashed their faces " to mourn with blood rather than tears." The unfortunate men who buried him and his treasures were put to death so that his burial place would remain unknown.

After the demise of Attila, the Huns were absorbed into the surrounding population. Indeed the Visigoths and Vandals had more permanent impact.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA 1. Attila was played by that most Hun-like actor Jack Palance in Sign of the Pagan 1954. The same year Anthony Quinn portrayed him in a Franco-Italian movie Attila, with Sophia Loren playing Honoria.
2. Verdi wrote an opera in 1846 called, yep, Attila.

ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Attila's most significant achievement was his successful expansion of the Huns' territory and influence, establishing himself as one of the most formidable rulers of his time.
2. Attila indirectly founded a great city. The story goes that families fleeing Attila and his hordes ended up in a series of mudbanks within a lagoon at the head of the Adriatic Sea. They stayed there, the settlement grew and it became Venice.
3. Attila is a national hero even today in Hungary where he is known as Ethele.
4. Margaret Thatcher used to be nicknamed Attila the Hen

Sources (1) Chronicle of the World
(2) 100 Great Kings and Queens and Rulers of the World
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attila