The City of God · Chapter
XIX explained
Augustine examines the case of Lucretia, a Roman matron who committed suicide after being raped by Sextus Tarquinius.
What happens
Augustine examines the case of Lucretia, a Roman matron who committed suicide after being raped by Sextus Tarquinius. He contrasts her action with that of Christian women who suffered similar violation but chose to live, arguing that true chastity resides in the soul's consent, not the body's violation. Augustine questions whether Lucretia's suicide was an act of innocence or guilt, and uses the dilemma to defend Christian women against pagan criticism.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Virtue vs. Pagan Corruption
Augustine contrasts the pagan Roman ideal of honor (exemplified by Lucretia's suicide) with Christian virtue, which values inner chastity and obedience to divine law over public reputation.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The chapter explores the nature of sin (rape) and guilt, arguing that the victim remains innocent if the soul does not consent, and questions whether suicide can be a form of expiation.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and narrator; presents the argument regarding Lucretia and Christian women.
- Lucretia
Roman matron who committed suicide after being raped; her case is analyzed to discuss chastity and suicide.
- King Tarquin
Father of Sextus Tarquinius; mentioned as the one who was banished along with his son.
- Brutus
Kinsman of Lucretia; she bound him by an oath to avenge the rape.
Key passages
“There were two, but the adultery was the crime of only one.”
Although two bodies were involved, only one person committed the sin of adultery.
Augustine cites this saying to emphasize that Lucretia was not guilty of the rape, but her suicide raises questions about her innocence.
“If she was adulterous, why praise her? if chaste, why slay her?”
If Lucretia was an adulteress, why is she praised? If she was chaste, why did she kill herself?
This dilemma highlights the contradiction in pagan praise of Lucretia: her suicide either implies guilt or is itself a crime.