The "Rule" of Augustine, very likely the oldest monastic rule with Western origins, provides daily inspiration for more than 150 Christian communities. In giving an account of Augustine's distinctive contributions to the monastic spirituality of the late Roman world, and in particular of his achievement as a monastic legislator, this book fills a long-standing gap in Augustinian studies. A fresh English translation of the "Regulations for a monastery", the "Rule" and "Letter 211" is printed with facing Latin text, and there is a comprehensive historical study of these documents, their authorship, dates of composition and original public.