The City of God · Chapter
XXXI explained
Augustine analyzes the progression of the passion for governing among the Romans, tracing how prosperity led to avarice and luxury, which in turn corrupted the people.
What happens
Augustine analyzes the progression of the passion for governing among the Romans, tracing how prosperity led to avarice and luxury, which in turn corrupted the people. He highlights Scipio Nasica's opposition to destroying Rome's enemy Carthage, as he believed fear would curb lust and preserve virtue. Augustine also recounts Nasica's resistance to building permanent theater seats, warning against Greek luxury undermining Roman manliness. Augustine laments that Nasica, though wise, lacked the heavenly doctrine that would turn hearts from serving proud devils to seeking heavenly things.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Virtue vs. Pagan Corruption
Augustine contrasts the virtue of Scipio Nasica with the corruption wrought by prosperity, luxury, and avarice in Rome.
Critique of Pagan Religion
Augustine notes that Nasica, despite his wisdom, was ignorant of the true God and mistakenly thought the pagan gods should be propitiated rather than despised.
True Worship and the One God
Augustine points to the heavenly doctrine not yet revealed to the Gentiles, which alone can purify hearts and turn them from serving devils to seeking heavenly things.
Characters to notice
- Scipio Nasica
Adjudged Rome's best man; opposed destruction of Carthage and resisted building theater seats to preserve Roman virtue.
- Augustine
Authorial voice analyzing Roman moral decline and contrasting pagan wisdom with heavenly doctrine.
Key passages
“By what steps the passion for governing increased among the Romans. For at what stage would that passion rest when once it has lodged in a proud spirit, until by a succession of advances it has reached even the throne?”
Augustine describes how the lust for power grows unchecked in a proud heart, eventually leading to tyranny.
Opening reflection on the progression of ambition.
“He thought that thus fear would act as a curb on lust, and that lust being curbed would not run riot in luxury, and that luxury being prevented avarice would be at an end; and that these vices being banished, virtue would flourish and increase, to the great profit of the state; and liberty, the fit companion of virtue, would abide unfettered.”
Nasica believed that fear of a strong enemy would restrain Roman desires, preventing luxury and greed, thus allowing virtue and liberty to thrive.
Explanation of Nasica's reasoning for opposing the destruction of Carthage.
“For there had not yet been revealed to the Gentiles the heavenly doctrine which should purify their hearts by faith, and transform their natural disposition by humble godliness, and turn them from the service of proud devils to seek the things that are in heaven, or even above the heavens.”
Augustine notes that the pagan Romans lacked the Christian revelation that purifies hearts through faith and turns people from demonic worship to heavenly pursuits.
Augustine's theological critique of pagan limitations.