The City of God · Chapter
III explained
Augustine criticizes the Romans for entrusting their city to gods who were unable to defend Troy, as depicted in Virgil's Aeneid.
What happens
Augustine criticizes the Romans for entrusting their city to gods who were unable to defend Troy, as depicted in Virgil's Aeneid. He argues that these conquered gods could not protect Rome, and that the Romans' trust in them was foolish. He contrasts this with the protection Christians find in Christ, noting the ingratitude of those who blaspheme Christ after being spared in His sanctuaries.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Pagan Religion
Augustine mocks the Romans for trusting in gods that were themselves conquered, as shown in Virgil's poetry.
True Worship and the One God
Contrasts the false protection of pagan gods with the true refuge found in Christ's sanctuaries.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and critic of Roman paganism, arguing against the worship of conquered gods.
- Virgil
Roman poet whose works, especially the Aeneid, are cited to illustrate the conquered state of the Trojan gods.
- Juno
Goddess depicted in Virgil as hostile to the Trojans, stirring up winds against them.
- Aeneas
Pious Trojan hero who carries his conquered gods from Troy, as described in Virgil.
Key passages
“And these be the gods to whose protecting care the Romans were delighted to entrust their city! O too, too piteous mistake!”
Augustine laments the Romans' foolish decision to rely on gods who had already been defeated.
Highlights the central irony of trusting conquered deities for protection.
“If, then, Virgil says that the gods were such as these, and were conquered, and that when conquered they could not escape except under the protection of a man, what madness is it to suppose that Rome had been wisely entrusted to these guardians, and could not have been taken unless it had lost them!”
Augustine argues that it is absurd to think Rome's safety depended on gods who needed human help to flee.
Emphasizes the logical inconsistency in Roman religious belief.