St Ambrose of Milan, part 1

He never intended to be a churchman, much less a saint. The son of a Roman Praetorian prefect, he was trained as a lawyer and eventually rose to the rank of Governor. He was elected bishop against his objections - he was not even baptized! His election set in motion a massive conversion and he became an eloquent preacher and advocate for the poor. Among his claims to fame is the fact that it was his preaching that converted St. Augustine!
This is the first of a two-part series that explores the very complicated historical (both religious and political...as if they were exclusive) situation Ambrose faced and how he responded to it.