Civilization #27: Augustine's Empire of God

Augustine interprets Adam and Eve as willful conspirators whose pride and misplaced love drive the fall, rather than naive victims of deception.

Augustine, bishop of Hippo, responds to the crisis that follows the sack of Rome by redefining the Catholic Church as a permanent representative of God.

Augustine positions the Catholic Church to serve rulers, while kings and emperors seek spiritual endorsement to stabilize fragile regimes.

Augustine addresses Roman Christians and critics who interpret the sack of Rome as proof that Christianity failed to protect the empire.

Augustine narrates his journey from a pagan upbringing to Catholic leadership, with his Christian mother Monica serving as a constant moral anchor.

Augustine interprets the Roman story of Lucretia, a virtuous woman who killed herself after rape, to redefine Christian attitudes toward shame and suicide.

Augustine instructs Christian believers and clergy, arguing that human action is inherently suspect because it flows from sinful will rather than divine goodness.

Augustine portrays all humans as inherently sinful, arguing that even after Christ’s sacrifice people remain bent toward evil without strict obedience.

Augustine recounts his adolescent theft with a group of friends to illustrate his doctrine that humans sin by nature rather than by necessity.

Augustine writes for priests and educated elites who must defend church doctrine before largely illiterate congregations.