Ambrosius Mediolanensis (about 340 - 4.4.397), bishop of Milan (Mediolanum) from 374; preacher, theologian (recognized by the Catholic Church as the father of the church), church politician. In 370-374 governor of Liguria and Emilia (with residence in Milan). Having accepted the episcopal rank, in a number of conflicts with the imperial authorities he defended the interests of the Christian Church. In his most significant work (“On the Duties of the Clergy,” Russian translation, 1908), A. outlines a system of Christian ethics. He fought against paganism with Iarianism. He composed church hymns; established the foundations of ritual singing in the Western Christian church (the so-called Ambrosian chant).

The presented 18th letter is one of a series of letters sent by Ambrose of Milan against the restoration of the golden statue of the pagan goddess of Victory in the curia of the Roman Senate. The head of the pagan party, Symmachus, to whom this letter is addressed, proposed restoring the pagan idol removed by Emperor Gratian as a symbol and relic of past eras. Ambrose gives counterarguments in response to Symmachus's arguments and proves that Christianity is a higher level of development of civilization compared to paganism.