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The article presents the historical foundations of Donatism. It examines the beginnings of Donatist Christianity, especially during the Great Persecution of 303-305 and more formally in 311/12 with the election of Caecilian. It also highlights the interaction between Donatist partisans and Constantine and his successors, illustrating the events surrounding the reign of Emperor Julian and the innovations that Donatism engendered in the closing decades of the fourth century, with particular attention given to the role of the Circumcellion movement and the militant regime of Gildo. Finally, it reports the developments that occurred in the opening decades of the fifth century which involved Augustine of Hippo and the joint-effort of Roman Catholic and Roman Imperial authorities to suppress the Donatist Church.

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