Ambrose

Roman theologian and Bishop of Milan (c. 340–397)

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Lived 339–397, aged 58Germany

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Era
339–397
Aged 58

Summary

Updated 2026-06-08

A Roman governor drafted into a bishopric by a crowd that wouldn't take no for an answer, he ended up outlasting emperors, shaping doctrine, writing hymns still sung seventeen centuries later, and nudging Augustine toward the conversion that would reshape the West.

Biography

About

Ambrose was serving as Roman governor of Aemilia-Liguria around 374 when popular acclamation suddenly made him Bishop of Milan, a post he'd hold until his death in 397. He took a hard line against Arianism, mediated between rival emperors Theodosius I and Magnus Maximus, and left a substantial body of writing — including the ethical commentary De officiis ministrorum and the exegetical Exameron. His preaching helped convert Augustine of Hippo to Christianity, a hinge moment in Western thought. He authored at least four hymns, among them "Veni redemptor gentium," anchoring the Ambrosian hymn tr…

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In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Ambrose

Ambrose

saidundated

Accordingly, death is a harbor of peace for the just, but is believed a shipwreck for the wicked.

— De bono mortis, 8, 31.

Ambrose

saidundated

It is not death therefore that is burdensome, but the fear of death.

— De bono mortis, 8, 31.

Ambrose

saidundated

It was not by dialectic that it pleased God to save His people.

— Exposition of the Christian Faith, Book I, Chapter 5., 42.

Ambrose

saidundated

Christ has taken obedience upon Himself, obedience even to taking on Him our flesh, the cross even to gaining our salvation.

— Exposition of the Christian Faith, Book V, Chapter 15., 182.

Ambrose

saidundated

When I am here I do not fast on Saturday; but when I am at Rome I do: whatever church you may come to, conform to its custom, if you would avoid either receiving or giving offense.

— Quoted in "Epistle to Casualanus", XXXVI, section 32, by St. Augustine; translation by J.G. Cunningham

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