P.G. Walsh (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- February 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780856687594
- eISBN:
- 9781800342996
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3828/liverpool/9780856687594.003.0005
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
This chapter gives the commentary on Book IV of Augustine's The City of God. It discusses the morality of military conquest, the gods to whom Roman successes are ascribed, and the prominence of ...
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This chapter gives the commentary on Book IV of Augustine's The City of God. It discusses the morality of military conquest, the gods to whom Roman successes are ascribed, and the prominence of abstract deities. It also analyses the role and traditional theme of suffering as a testing-ground for Christian commitment and explores the theme of the happiness of the person of modest means contrasted with the miseries of the man of power or great wealth. The chapter talks about Augustine's accusations against the educated pagans on how that they deliberately conceal their knowledge of history in the interests of anti-Christian polemic. It mentions Augustine's protégé, Orosius, who describes the sufferings and calamities of other civilisations before the Christian era.Less
This chapter gives the commentary on Book IV of Augustine's The City of God. It discusses the morality of military conquest, the gods to whom Roman successes are ascribed, and the prominence of abstract deities. It also analyses the role and traditional theme of suffering as a testing-ground for Christian commitment and explores the theme of the happiness of the person of modest means contrasted with the miseries of the man of power or great wealth. The chapter talks about Augustine's accusations against the educated pagans on how that they deliberately conceal their knowledge of history in the interests of anti-Christian polemic. It mentions Augustine's protégé, Orosius, who describes the sufferings and calamities of other civilisations before the Christian era.
P.G. Walsh (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- February 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780856687594
- eISBN:
- 9781800342996
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3828/liverpool/9780856687594.003.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
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 ...
More
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.Less
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.
P.G. Walsh (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- February 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780856687594
- eISBN:
- 9781800342996
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3828/liverpool/9780856687594.003.0003
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Ancient Greek, Roman, and Early Christian Philosophy
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 ...
More
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.Less
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.
