# VII explained — The City of God

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

## What happens

Augustine argues that the cruelties of the sack of Rome were typical of war, but the clemency shown by the barbarians—sparing those in churches—was a novel act attributable to the name of Christ and the Christian temper.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Providence and History

Augustine sees the barbarians' clemency as an act of divine intervention through Christ's name.

### Sin, Grace, and Redemption

The sparing of lives in churches is presented as a manifestation of God's loving-kindness despite human transgression.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author of the chapter, interpreting the sack of Rome.

### Jesus Christ

His name is credited for the clemency shown by the barbarians.

## Key lines

> All the spoiling, then, which Rome was exposed to in the recent calamity—all the slaughter, plundering, burning, and misery—was the result of the custom of war.

The destruction and violence Rome suffered were typical wartime atrocities.

_Augustine distinguishes ordinary war horrors from the exceptional clemency._

> Whoever does not see that this is to be attributed to the name of Christ, and to the Christian temper, is blind; whoever sees this, and gives no praise, is ungrateful; whoever hinders anyone from praising it, is mad.

Only a blind person fails to credit Christ for the mercy shown; only an ungrateful person sees it and withholds praise; only a mad person prevents others from praising it.

_Augustine insists that the barbarians' restraint is due to Christian influence._

## Links

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