Do we become what we hope for? It can seem like the world is doomed. But one writer believes the answer to our times can be found in the writings of a 1600-year-old thinker.
How to keep hope alive during bad times
Spreading the Word: Augustine is said to have preached up to 10,000 sermons in his lifetime. Glossary
North Africa - The northern portion of the African continent
Original sin - The state of sin that some believe all humans are born into due to the sin of the first man, Adam.
Roman Empire - Lasting from 27BC to 476AD, the Roman Empire controlled regions around the Mediterranean in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.
Gothic tribes - The nomadic Germanic people who fought against Roman rule in the late 300s and early 400s A.D.
Vice - Immoral or unjustifiable behaviour.
Gladiators - Ancient Roman fighters who would stage battles and duels for the entertainment of large crowds. Although this is often thought of as a bloody sport, in reality it was quite rare for gladiators to be killed: their aim was to incapacitate their opponent.