Ambrose of Milan

Also: Ambrosius, Aurelius Ambrosius

Born probably between 333 and 340, probably in Augusta Treverorum (now Trier, Germany). Died in 397, in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy).

A Roman governor whom the people of Milan chose as bishop before he was baptised. He preached, wrote hymns, stood up to emperors and baptised Augustine.

Wrote in Latin. A major author.

Places lived

345 to 365Roma (now Rome, Italy)youth, studiedyears not sure
365 to 370Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia)advocateyears probable, place probable
370 to 397Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy)governor, bishop from 374years probableHe was made bishop on 7 December 374; some argue for 373.

Works

13 works, in the order they were written. 11 works can be read here.

Hymnsc. 374 to 397 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · hymnThe first Latin hymns for the people to sing; four are surely his.1,094 words
Letters374 to 397 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · letterNinety-one letters, with those on the Altar of Victory and on the massacre at Thessalonica.56,222 words
On the Death of Satyrus378 · in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · orationTwo speeches on the death of his brother: one at the funeral, and one a week later on the hope of rising again.33,652 words
Concerning Virgins377 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · treatiseThree books for his sister Marcellina in praise of the single life.22,150 words
Concerning Widowsabout 377 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · treatiseA book that praises the state of the widow and advises against a second marriage.15,029 words
Exposition of the Gospel of Lukec. 377 to 390 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · commentaryHis one commentary on a Gospel, made from sermons.not yet on the site
On the Christian Faith378 to 380 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · treatiseFive books for the emperor Gratian on the Son as true God.109,878 words
On the Holy Spirit381 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · treatiseThree books on the Holy Spirit as true God, the first in Latin.62,015 words
On Repentancec. 384 to 394 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · treatiseTwo books against the Novatians, who denied that the church can forgive grave sins.27,485 words
Hexameronc. 386 to 390 · in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · homilyNine sermons on the six days of creation, after Basil.not yet on the site
On the Duties of the Clergyc. 386 to 390 · probably in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · treatiseA Christian answer to Cicero's On Duties, written for the clergy of Milan.80,543 words
On the Mysteriesc. 387 to 391 · in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · catechesisAn explanation of baptism and the Eucharist for the newly baptised.7,909 words
On the Sacramentsc. 387 to 391 · in Mediolanum (now Milan, Italy) · catechesisSix talks to the newly baptised, with the oldest text of the Roman prayer of the Mass.22,394 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Ambrose, Letter 59 (Maurist number) gives his age as 53; the date of the letter is disputed, so 333 or 334, or 339 or 340
Place of birth probable: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 3 (his father was prefect of the Gauls)
Died sure: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 47 and 48 (before dawn on the day of the Easter vigil, which was 4 April 397)
Place of death sure: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 47 and 48
Roma, years not sure: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 4 and 5
Roma, place sure: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 4 and 5
Sirmium, years probable: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 5 (at the court of the prefect Probus)
Sirmium, place probable: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 5 (at the court of the prefect Probus)
Mediolanum, years probable: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 5 to 9
Mediolanum, place sure: Paulinus of Milan, Life of Ambrose 5 to 9