Final answer:
Augustine left Carthage for Rome in search of better prospects and eventually underwent a significant personal transformation, which led him to become a Christian and an influential figure within the church.
Step-by-step explanation:
Augustine of Hippo, a pivotal figure in Christian history, decided to leave Carthage for Rome seeking a change in his professional and personal life. This move was driven by his dissatisfaction with his prospects in Carthage, as reflected in a quote depicting the lack of “honest pursuits” and monetary gain in Rome. Despite these challenges, Augustine saw Rome as a place where he could potentially escape the unsatisfactory conditions he was experiencing in Carthage.Upon his arrival in Italy, he soon found himself in Milan as a teacher of rhetoric at the imperial court. Here, Augustine's spiritual journey took a decisive turn. He encountered the writings on the life of Antony of the Desert, ultimately leading to his conversion to Christianity and subsequent influential role in church matters, including his involvement in resolution of the Donatist controversy as Bishop of Hippo.In conclusion, Augustine’s departure from Carthage to Rome marks a significant transition in his life from a teacher to a devout Christian and a foundational theologian whose works, especially The City of God, deeply influenced the development of Western Christianity.