Jerome was born Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus around the year 340 in Stridonius on the border between Pannonia and Dalmatia, in what is now Bosnia/Herzegovina. While he was born into a Christian family he was not [[baptism|baptized]] until 360 when he journeyed to Rome. Under his father's direction he was well instructed at home before being sent to Rome for further study. While in Rome Jerome studied under Aelius Donatus as well as learning [[Koine Greek]]. From Rome he traveled into Gaul and on to Trier where he apparently began his theological studies. Then, about 373 he traveled east through Thrace and into Asia Minor. He stayed for a period in Antioch where, through visions when he was seriously ill, he resolved to lay aside his secular studies and plunged into study of the Bible. Looking to a life of asceticism he went into the desert of Chalcis. In this environment he began a study of Hebrew and found time for writing.

At this time he undertook the updating of the Latin Bible on the basic of the Greek [[New Testament]] and the [[Septuagint]] in an attempt to end the differences that had entered into the western texts. Having maintained a monastic lifestyle, his criticisms of the secular [[clergy]] led to increased hostility from the clergy and their supporters. With the death of Pope Damasus on [[December 10]], 384, he lost his protection and so returned to Antioch in 385. There he found life in the secular world burdensome. He moved to Palestine to settle down to a life in a hermit's cell.