The City of God · Chapter
Book II explained
Augustine reviews the calamities suffered by Rome before Christ, arguing that the false gods did not preserve Rome from misfortune but instead corrupted its morals.
What happens
Augustine reviews the calamities suffered by Rome before Christ, arguing that the false gods did not preserve Rome from misfortune but instead corrupted its morals. He defends Christianity against charges of causing Rome's decline, showing that the gods failed to prevent moral decay and that true felicity comes only from the one true God.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Virtue vs. Pagan Corruption
Augustine contrasts the moral decay of Rome, fostered by pagan gods, with the virtuous precepts of Christianity.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The chapter discusses how sin corrupts individuals and societies, and how redemption is found only through the one true God.
Peace, Justice, and the Order of Love
Augustine argues that true peace and justice come from God, not from pagan worship or earthly prosperity.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and narrator, defending Christianity against pagan accusations.
- Marius
Cited as a wicked Roman citizen who prospered despite his evil, contrasting with the virtuous Regulus.
- Marcus Attilius Regulus
Cited as a virtuous Roman who suffered despite his piety, illustrating the injustice of the gods.
- Sylla
Mentioned for his cruel rule and the demons' boast of aiding him, showing the gods' complicity in evil.
- Catiline
Mentioned as a wicked man who lived and perished miserably, contrasting with the prosperous Metellus.
- Metellus
Mentioned as a highly esteemed Roman who was prosperous in this life.
Key passages
“If the feeble mind of man did not presume to resist the clear evidence of truth, but yielded its infirmity to wholesome doctrines, as to a health-giving medicine, until it obtained from God, by its faith and piety, the grace needed to heal it, they who have just ideas, and express them in suitable language, would need to use no long discourse to refute the errors of empty conjecture.”
If people humbly accepted the truth instead of stubbornly resisting it, there would be no need for lengthy arguments against false beliefs.
Augustine explains why he must write at length: human stubbornness requires repeated demonstration of obvious truths.
“Real and secure felicity is the peculiar possession of those who worship that God by whom alone it can be conferred.”
True and lasting happiness belongs only to those who worship the one true God, who alone can give it.
Augustine contrasts the false promises of pagan gods with the true happiness found in Christianity.