Commentary on Book IV

After recapitulation of the topics of the previous three books (1–2), Augustine discusses the morality of military conquest (3–6), the gods to whom Roman successes are ascribed (7– 13), the prominence of abstract deities (14–26), attitudes of Roman intellectuals (27–32), and the ordinance of the true God (33–34)....

Commentary on Book III

I The misfortunes which alone are feared by evil men, and which the world has always endured, even when it worshipped the gods 1The false gods made no effort: Augustine inherits from earlier Christian apologists from Tertullian onwards the view that malignant demons pose as the Roman gods. The presence of malignant spirits in the world is claimed in the New Testament (...

Text & Translation of Book III

This chapter provides the original text and translation of Book III of Augustine's The City of God. It begins with a programmatic statement that demonstrates how Roman gods had encouraged rather than stemmed the moral degeneration of the community. It also emphasizes how Roman gods have failed to alleviate the physical hardships and disasters that plagued Rome since its foundation. The chapter follows a selective review of the history of Rome from the Regal period to the principate of Augustus. It outlines the reverses and miseries endured by the Roman people, as well as the injustices inflicted both on foreign nations and fellow citizens.

Text & Translation of Book IV

This chapter provides the original text and translation of Book IV of Augustine's The City of God. It investigates the nature and the roles of the gods that the demons impersonate and demonstrate how the pagan religion is riddled with illogicalities and improbabilities. It also discusses the deities to whom the Romans ascribe the prosperity of their empire, the prominence of abstract deities, and the attitudes of Roman intellectuals towards their gods. The chapter describes how Augustine roundly condemns rampant imperialism and describes how the Roman gods had no care for the welfare of the state. It cites the evidence of Pompeius Trogus on the claim that Ninus, king of the Assyrians, was the first ruler in history to launch aggressive wars.

Introduction

This chapter introduces Augustine's Books III and IV of The City of God. It discusses how Augustine countered ideas that gods must be worshipped in order to ensure prosperity in the present life and criticized beliefs that the hindrance of prosperity is hostile to the Christian name. It also looks at Augustine's books that refute claims on the preservation of earthly life and temporal happiness in human affairs. The chapter analyzes the significance of the recent fall of Rome to the Goths due to the imperial proscription of pagan ritual and the destruction of pagan temples. It examines how Augustine offers guidance to his Christian flock, who had suffered harsh tribulations, by reminding them that their true happiness lay not in the blessedness of the world to come.