Christian History Magazine-Issue 15; St. Augustine of Hippo
Christ ian History Magazine-Issue 15; St. Augustine of Hippo Incidentally, this portrayal of Augustine bears a striking resemblance to a portrait found in the notebook of the Christ ian philosopher Boethius, who died in 524 A.D., less than 100 years after Augustine’s death. Both portraits are thought to be taken from a likeness of Augustine prepared for his signet ring. The saint refers to this ring in what is today called Letter 59, wherein he notes the signet, when applied to a seal, “embosses the face of a man turned to the side.” Very likely, as this was common custom, the face on the ring was that of the ring-owner. In this image, Augustine is dressed in a tunic, mantle and sandals, thus being depicted as a scholar rather than as a bishop. In his left hand he holds a scroll; with his right hand on the lectern in front of him. The scroll alludes OT his own works; the great book to the greatest of books, the Bible . The Latin inscription on the bottom reads: “The dif...