One of the earliest autobiographies, as well the paradigm for all subsequent literary confessions, St. Augustine`s 13-volume work is a classic of Christian theology and Western philosophy. In the confessions, St. Augustine addresses God, revealing the details of his life up to his conversion to Christianity and reflecting on a former life of sin. He also offers a description of the Creation and his thoughts on the nature of the self, life, philosophy, and theology, along with prayers and meditations. The work was written c. 397-401.