# The City of God — Character guide

> Key figures in The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

- [Augustine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/augustine.md): The author and narrator, Bishop of Hippo, who writes to defend the City of God.
- [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/jesus_christ.md): The central figure of Christian faith, the Son of God and mediator between God and humanity.
- [Abraham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/abraham.md): The patriarch of Israel, father of Isaac, and model of faith in God's promises.
- [Marcus Varro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/marcus_varro.md): Roman scholar and author whose works on Roman religion are frequently cited and critiqued.
- [Plato](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/plato.md): Greek philosopher whose ideas about the ideal state and the soul are discussed extensively.
- [Jupiter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/jupiter.md): Chief god of the Roman pantheon, often criticized as a false deity by Augustine.
- [Romulus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/romulus.md): Founder and first king of Rome, later deified; also Numa, his successor and lawgiver.
- [Cicero](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/cicero.md): Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher whose works are quoted on ethics and politics.
- [Jacob](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/jacob.md): Patriarch of Israel, father of the twelve tribes, whose story illustrates divine election.
- [Isaac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/isaac.md): Son of Abraham and Sarah, father of Jacob and Esau, a type of Christ in sacrifice.
- [Apuleius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/apuleius.md): Platonist philosopher and author, cited for his views on demons and magic.
- [Cain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/cain.md): Firstborn son of Adam, murderer of his brother Abel, founder of the earthly city.
- [Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/adam.md): First man created by God, whose sin brought death into the world.
- [John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/john.md): Apostle and evangelist, author of the Gospel and Revelation, often quoted on Christ's divinity.
- [Minerva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/minerva.md): Roman goddess of wisdom, often identified with Athena, and a subject of pagan worship critique.
- [Noah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/noah.md): Righteous man saved from the Flood, through whom humanity and the covenant were preserved.
- [Felicity](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/felicity.md): Roman goddess of good fortune, discussed in the context of pagan worship of abstractions.
- [Aaron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/aaron.md): Brother of Moses and first high priest of Israel, representing the Levitical priesthood.
- [Sarah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/sarah.md): Wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, a figure of faith and the promise of offspring.
- [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/cyrus.md): Persian king who allowed the Jews to return from exile, fulfilling prophecy.
- [Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/peter.md): Chief apostle of Jesus, often cited on church authority and the keys of the kingdom.
- [Juno](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/juno.md): Roman queen of the gods, associated with marriage and childbirth, criticized as false.
- [Saturn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/saturn.md): Roman god of agriculture and time, often identified with the Greek Cronus.
- [Sylla](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/sylla.md): Roman dictator and general, used as an example of cruelty and civil war.
- [Scipio Nasica](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/scipio_nasica.md): Roman senator praised for his virtue and opposition to the destruction of Carthage.
- [Paul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/paul.md): Apostle to the Gentiles, whose letters are frequently quoted on grace and the law.
- [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/virgil.md): Roman poet, author of the Aeneid, often cited for his views on Roman destiny and the gods.
- [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/socrates.md): Greek philosopher, mentor of Plato, known for his method and opposition to pagan myths.
- [Jove](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/jove.md): Another name for Jupiter, chief Roman god, often used in poetic and philosophical contexts.
- [Jeremiah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/jeremiah.md): Old Testament prophet who foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the new covenant.
- [Moses](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/moses.md): Lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus and received the Ten Commandments.
- [Hermes Trismegistus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/hermes_trismegistus.md): Legendary Hellenistic figure associated with wisdom and occult philosophy, cited on idolatry.
- [Mars](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/mars.md): Roman god of war, often paired with Venus in discussions of pagan morality.
- [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/apollo.md): Roman god of prophecy, music, and healing, associated with the Sibyl and oracles.
- [Marcus Attilius Regulus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/marcus_attilius_regulus.md): Roman general and consul, famous for his stoic return to Carthage and death.
- [Sallust](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/sallust.md): Roman historian whose works on the Catilinarian conspiracy and Jugurthine War are cited.
- [Shem](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/shem.md): Son of Noah, ancestor of the Semitic peoples, through whom the line of Abraham descends.
- [Aeneas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/aeneas.md): Trojan hero and legendary founder of Rome, central figure in Virgil's Aeneid.
- [Lot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/lot.md): Nephew of Abraham, rescued from Sodom, an example of righteous living among the wicked.
- [Antichrist](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/antichrist.md): Figure of end-times opposition to Christ, discussed in the context of prophecy and judgment.
- [Terah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/terah.md): Father of Abraham, who set out for Canaan but settled in Haran.
- [Job](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/job.md): Patient sufferer from the Old Testament, an example of endurance and faith in trials.
- [Janus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/janus.md): Two-faced Roman god of beginnings and transitions, keeper of gates and doors.
- [Seth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/seth.md): Third son of Adam, ancestor of the line leading to Noah and the patriarchs.
- [Brutus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/brutus.md): Founder of the Roman Republic, who expelled the Tarquins and established liberty.
- [Heber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/heber.md): Ancestor of Abraham, from whom the term 'Hebrew' is derived.
- [Marius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/marius.md): Roman general and consul, known for his military reforms and rivalry with Sulla.
- [Mercury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/mercury.md): Roman messenger god, also identified with the Egyptian Thoth and Hermes Trismegistus.
- [Samuel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/samuel.md): Prophet and last judge of Israel, who anointed Saul and David as kings.
- [Hercules](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/hercules.md): Legendary hero known for his twelve labors, often cited in pagan mythology.
- [Holy Scripture](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/holy_scripture.md): The Bible, considered the authoritative word of God, frequently quoted and interpreted.
- [Isaiah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/isaiah.md): Major prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah and the suffering servant.
- [Enoch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/enoch.md): Righteous man who walked with God and was taken up without dying.
- [Marcus Cato](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/marcus_cato.md): Roman statesman and moralist, known for his strict virtue and opposition to luxury.
- [Lamech](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/lamech.md): Descendant of Cain, father of Noah, and a figure in the genealogy of the patriarchs.
- [Ninus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/ninus.md): Legendary founder of Nineveh and the Assyrian empire, mentioned in historical chronology.
- [Judah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/judah.md): Son of Jacob, ancestor of the tribe from which King David and Jesus descended.
- [Annaeus Seneca](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/annaeus_seneca.md): Roman Stoic philosopher and playwright, cited on ethics and the nature of the gods.
- [Manasseh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/manasseh.md): Son of Joseph, patriarch of one of the tribes of Israel, blessed by Jacob.
- [Egyptians](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/egyptians.md): Ancient people and their gods, often used as examples of idolatry and oppression of Israel.
- [Lucretia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/lucretia.md): Roman noblewoman whose rape and suicide led to the overthrow of the monarchy.
- [Alexander of Macedon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/alexander_of_macedon.md): Macedonian conqueror who created a vast empire, discussed in historical examples.
- [Mucius Scaevola](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/mucius_scaevola.md): Roman hero who demonstrated courage by burning his hand to prove his resolve.
- [Methuselah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/methuselah.md): Patriarch known for his extreme longevity, son of Enoch and grandfather of Noah.
- [King Tarquin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/king_tarquin.md): Last king of Rome, whose tyranny led to the establishment of the Republic.
- [Liber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/liber.md): Roman god of wine and fertility, often identified with Dionysus or Bacchus.
- [Theodosius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/theodosius.md): Christian Roman emperor who made Christianity the state religion and opposed paganism.
- [Nero Caesar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/nero_caesar.md): Infamous Roman emperor, persecutor of Christians, used as an example of tyranny.
- [Abel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/abel.md): Second son of Adam, murdered by his brother Cain, a type of the righteous sufferer.
- [Rehoboam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/rehoboam.md): Son of Solomon, whose harsh rule caused the division of the kingdom of Israel.
- [Neptune](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/neptune.md): Roman god of the sea, often invoked in discussions of pagan mythology.
- [Plotinus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/plotinus.md): Neoplatonist philosopher whose ideas on the One and the soul are discussed.
- [Radagaisus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/radagaisus.md): Gothic king who invaded Italy and was defeated, an example of divine judgment.
- [Ham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/ham.md): Son of Noah, father of Canaan, whose descendants were cursed for his disrespect.
- [Augustus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/augustus.md): First Roman emperor, under whose reign Christ was born, a figure of political order.
- [Vesta](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/vesta.md): Roman goddess of the hearth, often paired with Venus in discussions of domestic virtue.
- [Lactantius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/lactantius.md): Early Christian author and apologist, cited on the errors of paganism.
- [Aesculapius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/aesculapius.md): Roman god of medicine and healing, son of Apollo, worshipped for cures.
- [Tellus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/tellus.md): Roman earth goddess, personification of the fertile land, worshipped in agriculture.
- [Hesperius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/hesperius.md): A contemporary Christian layman mentioned in a miracle story about relics.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters