Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of Book V of Augustine's The City of God. It analyzes how Rome has extended her imperial sway throughout Europe and the Near East in spite of the moral bankruptcy of the Roman state. It also reviews the solution offered by some philosophers about the expansion and consolidation of empire as the outcome of chance or fate. The chapter discusses how providence has endowed Roman leaders with traditional virtues that the aims of glory and honour for the individual, and dominion for the state that are at odds with Christianity's application of the virtues. It reviews the key to Augustine's philosophy of history, in which the Roman empire has spread and is maintained in existence by divine providence.

Commentary

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De Civitate Dei

(Translations of these headings are provided at the head of each chapter in the Notes) I Causam Romani imperii omniumque regnorum nec fortuitam esse nec in stellarum positione consistere. II De geminorum simili dissimilique ualetudine. III De argumento quod ex rota figuli Nigidius mathematicus adsumpsit in quaestione geminorum....