The Canon Library
Cover of The City of God

Late Antiquity · Theology, political thought

The City of God

by Augustine of Hippo. Written after Rome’s sack, it distinguishes earthly political communities from the transcendent City of God.

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Date
413–426
Origin
Roman North Africa
Era
Late Antiquity
Genre
Theology, political thought
Canon tier
Essential core
Difficulty
Very challenging
Length
Very long
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

HistoryEmpireDivine Order

Why it matters

Written after Rome’s sack, it distinguishes earthly political communities from the transcendent City of God.

This work is included on the basis of great books. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

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Reading paths featuring The City of God

Continue through a deliberately ordered journey that places this work in conversation with others.

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.