Book VIII Summary and Analysis

Augustine has a long discussion with an old man and teacher of Ambrose, Simplicianus, who helps to develop Augustine's growing understanding of Christ. Augustine already has done much study of the Platonists and their natural philosophy. He finds this study complements his study of the Christian Scriptures. Augustine also admires the translations into Latin of these Platonic works, done by a man called Victorinus. Simplicianus tells Augustine that he knew Victorinus, before his recent passing, and that Victorinus converted to Christianity.

For many years, Victorinus had been a champion of the Roman Gods. He took part in the ceremonies for the God, Osiris, and other Gods that Rome had gathered from areas of the world that were conquered by the Roman Empire. Gods include "the dog Anubis and that monstrous brood; of deity that once took arms and fought...