Augustine was born in 354 AD in Tagaste, North Africa to a Christian mother and pagan father. He studied in Carthage where he was introduced to philosophical systems like Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. After holding various teaching positions, he converted to Christianity in 387 AD after being inspired by Bishop Ambrose. Augustine went on to become a priest in 391 AD and bishop of Hippo in 396 AD. His influential works like Confessions and City of God helped shape Western Christian thought and theology for centuries.