The City of God · Chapter
VI explained
Augustine argues that the Romans, despite their reputation for sparing the vanquished, did not spare the conquered in their temples.
What happens
Augustine argues that the Romans, despite their reputation for sparing the vanquished, did not spare the conquered in their temples. He cites examples of Marcellus at Syracuse and Fabius at Tarentum to show that no special protection was given to those who fled to temples, undermining the pagan complaint that Christians were not spared in their churches.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Pagan Religion
Augustine criticizes the Romans for not sparing temples, showing their gods were powerless to protect refugees.
Peace, Justice, and the Order of Love
The contrast between Roman claims of clemency and their actual conduct in war highlights a failure of justice.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and narrator, arguing against Roman hypocrisy.
- Marcus Varro
Not directly mentioned, but his historical works are implied as sources for Roman history.
- Scipio Nasica
Not directly mentioned, but referenced indirectly through the discussion of Roman generals.
Key passages
“Why, then, need our argument take note of the many nations who have waged wars with one another, and have nowhere spared the conquered in the temples of their gods?”
Why should we bother listing all the nations that never spared their enemies in temples?
Augustine dismisses the need for extensive examples, focusing on Rome itself.
“Marcus Marcellus, a distinguished Roman, who took Syracuse, a most splendidly adorned city, is reported to have bewailed its coming ruin, and to have shed his own tears over it before he spilt its blood.”
The famous Roman general Marcellus wept over Syracuse before sacking it.
Augustine highlights Marcellus's tears as ironic given the subsequent destruction.
“Fabius, the conqueror of the city of Tarentum, is praised for abstaining from making booty of the images. ... 'Oh,' says he, 'let us leave with the Tarentines their angry gods.'”
Fabius joked about leaving the Tarentines their angry gods instead of taking them as spoils.
Augustine uses Fabius's joke to show that even a 'moderate' general did not spare temples.