The City of God

What Is The City of God About?

When the Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 AD, pagans blamed Christianity for weakening the empire. Augustine spent thirteen years writing a response that became far more than a defense — it became a comprehensive Christian philosophy of history.

The first ten books dismantle Roman paganism, arguing that Rome's gods never protected it and that pagan philosophy, while admirable, remained incomplete. The final twelve books develop Augustine's vision of two "cities" — the earthly city, founded on self-love, and the heavenly City of God, founded on love of God — which exist intermingled throughout history until the final judgment.

Along the way, Augustine addresses creation, free will, the nature of evil, the meaning of history, and the relationship between church and state — questions that shaped Western civilization for the next millennium and beyond.

Why The City of God Still Matters

• Philosophy of history: Augustine gave the West its first linear, purposeful view of history — moving toward a divine goal, not cycling endlessly.
• Church and state: His distinction between the two cities shaped medieval and modern political thought, from Charlemagne to the American founding.
• The problem of evil: Augustine's argument that evil is not a substance but a privation of good remains the most influential Christian theodicy.
• Critique of empire: His analysis of Rome's rise and fall offers a template for thinking about any civilization's relationship to power and virtue.

Why Classical Schools Teach It

The City of God is studied in advanced Great Books programs. At Saints Classical Academy, selections are read in the rhetoric stage alongside medieval history.

• Essential for understanding the medieval worldview and Western political thought
• Bridges ancient philosophy (Plato, Aristotle) and Christian theology
• Pairs with the Confessions for a complete study of Augustine
• Develops skills in sustained philosophical reading and argumentation