# II explained — The City of God

> Chapter companion for The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

## What happens

Augustine argues that it is contrary to the customs of war for victors to spare the vanquished for the sake of their gods, citing historical examples such as the fall of Troy where temples and images were not protected.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Pagan Religion

Augustine criticizes the pagan gods for their inability to protect their own temples and worshippers.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author and narrator of the argument against sparing the vanquished for their gods.

### Aeneas

Mentioned as witnessing Priam's death at the shrine.

### Minerva

Her image was stolen from Troy, illustrating the failure of pagan gods to protect their own.

## Key lines

> There are histories of numberless wars, both before the building of Rome and since its rise and the extension of its dominion: let these be read, and let one instance be cited in which, when a city had been taken by foreigners, the victors spared those who were found to have fled for sanctuary to the temples of their gods;

Augustine challenges readers to find any historical example where conquerors spared those who took refuge in temples.

_Highlights the inconsistency of pagan claims of divine protection._

> It was not, in fact, the men who were preserved by the image, but the image by the men.

The statue of Minerva was protected by its guards, not the other way around.

_Reverses the pagan belief that gods protect their worshippers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters