Augustine of Hippo and Pauline Nola:: an approach to the idea Christian friendship in Late Antiquity

Friendship in Antiquity was a central axis of philosophical thought, addressed by traditions such as those of Plato, Aristotle, Stoics, and Epicureans, who linked it to a virtuous life. With the rise of Christianity, this concept was resignified, giving rise to "friendship in Christ," a bond mediated by divinity and endowed with new theological and social elements. This research analyzes this transformation based on the epistolary exchange between Augustine of Hippo and Paulinus of Nola, highlighting both the continuities and the ruptures with respect to the Greco-Roman tradition. Likewise, it examines the philosophical and philological foundations of this new form of friendship, integrating the study of letters, chronology, and epistolary resources characteristic of late antique Christianity. It concludes that Christian friendship expands classical limits, projecting itself even beyond death.