# The City of God

> book by Augustine of Hippo

**Wikidata**: [Q212318](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212318)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_of_God)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-city-of-god

## Summary
*The City of God* is a seminal literary work written by the Christian theologian and saint Augustine of Hippo, originally titled *De civitate Dei contra paganos*. This book serves as a written work read for both enjoyment and edification, addressing the relationship between the earthly city and the heavenly city. It stands as a foundational text in Western philosophy and theology, authored by a figure who lived from 354 to 430 and held citizenship in the Roman province of Africa.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title Aliases**: The work is also known as *The City of God Against the Pagans*, *Concerning the City of God Against the Pagans*, and by its Latin title *De civitate Dei contra paganos*.
- **Author**: Written by Augustine of Hippo, a Christian theologian, philosopher, and saint who lived between 354 and 430.
- **Author's Citizenship**: Augustine held citizenship in the Roman province of Africa.
- **Geographic Context**: The author's citizenship was located in Africa, a Roman province on the northern African coast covering parts of present-day Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya, which was established as a province in 146 BCE.
- **Classification**: The entity is classified as a literary work, specifically a written work read for enjoyment or edification.
- **Digital Presence**: The work has a Wikipedia title of "The City of God" and a Wikidata description defined as "book by Augustine of Hippo."
- **Connectivity Metrics**: The entity has a sitelink count of 47, while the author has a sitelink count of 224, and the geographic region of Africa has a sitelink count of 63.
- **Author's Occupations**: Augustine of Hippo held multiple occupations including theologian, philosopher, saint, and other roles identified by specific Q-identifiers (, , , , , , , , , , ).

## FAQs
**What is the full range of titles used for this book?**
The work is most commonly known as *The City of God*, but it is also formally cited as *The City of God Against the Pagans* and *Concerning the City of God Against the Pagans*. In its original Latin, the title is *De civitate Dei contra paganos*.

**Who wrote this book and what were their primary roles?**
The author was Augustine of Hippo, a prominent figure who lived from 354 to 430. He was a Christian theologian, philosopher, and saint who held citizenship in the Roman province of Africa.

**Where was the author based during their lifetime?**
Augustine was a citizen of Africa, a historical Roman province located on the northern African coast. This region encompasses parts of modern-day Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya and was established as a province in 146 BCE.

**How is this work classified in literary terms?**
It is categorized as a literary work, which is defined as a written work intended to be read for either enjoyment or edification.

## Why It Matters
*The City of God* remains a cornerstone of Western intellectual history because it provides a comprehensive theological and philosophical response to the collapse of the Roman Empire. By contrasting the "City of God" with the "City of Man," Augustine established a framework for understanding history, politics, and human nature that influenced Christian thought for over a millennium. Its significance lies in its ability to address the problem of suffering and the nature of divine providence, offering a timeless edification for readers seeking to understand the relationship between earthly existence and spiritual destiny.

## Notable For
- **Comprehensive Title Variations**: It is distinguished by having four distinct, widely recognized titles, including the Latin original and three English variations.
- **High Connectivity**: The work maintains a significant digital footprint with 47 sitelinks, reflecting its enduring relevance across various language editions and knowledge bases.
- **Authorial Authority**: It is the product of Augustine of Hippo, a figure with an exceptionally high sitelink count of 224, indicating his status as one of the most documented historical figures in the database.
- **Geographic Specificity**: The work is inextricably linked to the specific historical context of the Roman province of Africa, a region with 63 associated sitelinks.
- **Dual Purpose**: It is uniquely classified as a work designed for both the enjoyment of the reader and their moral or spiritual edification.

## Body

### Authorship and Identity
The primary creator of this entity is Augustine of Hippo, a historical figure who lived from 354 to 430. He is identified as a Christian theologian, philosopher, and saint. His professional life was multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of occupations including roles identified by the specific identifiers , , , , , , , , , , and . Augustine held citizenship in the Roman province of Africa, grounding his work in a specific geopolitical reality of the late antiquity period.

### Geographic and Historical Context
The author's citizenship is tied to Africa, a Roman province situated on the northern African coast. This historical region covers parts of what are now Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. The province itself has a defined inception date of 146 BCE (represented as -0146-00-00T00:00:00Z). The entity "Africa" is a highly connected topic within the knowledge base, possessing a sitelink count of 63, which underscores its importance as a historical and geographical subject.

### Classification and Nature of the Work
The entity is formally classified as a literary work. Within this classification, it is defined specifically as a written work read for enjoyment or edification. This dual purpose highlights its function not merely as a historical record but as a text intended to engage the reader intellectually and spiritually. The work is a book, a format that has allowed it to persist as a primary source for theological and philosophical study.

### Titles and Nomenclature
The work is known by several aliases that reflect its content and original language. These include *The City of God Against the Pagans* and *Concerning the City of God Against the Pagans*. The original Latin title, *De civitate Dei contra paganos*, is also a primary alias. In digital repositories, the Wikipedia title is standardized as "The City of God," and the Wikidata description succinctly identifies it as a "book by Augustine of Hippo."

### Digital Footprint and Connectivity
The entity demonstrates significant connectivity within knowledge graphs. It holds a sitelink count of 47, indicating its presence across numerous language versions and related topics. This connectivity is supported by the author's own extensive digital presence, with Augustine of Hippo holding a sitelink count of 224. The geographic context of Africa also contributes to this network with a sitelink count of 63. These metrics reflect the enduring scholarly and public interest in the work, its author, and the historical region of their origin.

## References

1. [Source](https://books.google.it/books?id=tJxiAAAAMAAJ&q=%22++versus+Sibyllae%22+%22de+civitate+dei%22&dq=%22++versus+Sibyllae%22+%22de+civitate+dei%22&hl=it&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi75fHQs8HvAhUF7KQKHYl5Cf8Q6AEwAHoECAEQAg)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands