Augustine: Political Writings
Augustine: Political Writings
E. M. Atkins, Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds
R. J. Dodaro, Instituto Patristico 'Augustinianum', Rome
This collection brings together thirty-five letters and sermons of Augustine, Bishop of Hippo from 396-430 AD, that deal with political matters. The letters and sermons are both practical and principled and treat many essential themes in Augustine's thought, including the responsibilities of citizenship, the relationship between the church and secular authority, religious coercion, and war and peace. These texts complement Augustine's classic The City of God, and give students direct insight into the political and social world of late antiquity with which Augustine was immediately involved.
- Anthology of Augustine's political writings consists of original and wide-ranging selection of entire texts, many never before considered as political texts
- Clear, modern accurate translations
- Extensive introduction and notes designed to highlight and clarify issues in the texts for students and non-specialist readers
Reviews & endorsements
"The volume provides a splendid insight into Augustine's political thought in action." Theological Studies
"Atkins and Dodaro have successfully made these texts with their fascinating range of issues accessible to a wide audience. Their translation is fluent and accurate. They have utilized and expanded the supports for the reader very well. In these selections from responses to individuals persons and situations, Augustine demonstrates a personal and pastoral perspective sometimes overshadowed in his more formal writings." Bryn Mawr College Review
"A useful addition to the English translations of his more scholarly works on political philosophy...It is a valuable contribution to Augustinian scholarship and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in political theory or Augustine." Theology Today
Product details
February 2001Paperback
9780521446976
360 pages
217 × 139 × 24 mm
0.49kg
1 map
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Bibliography
- Texts:
- 1. Christianity and citizenship
- Letter 90
- Letter 91
- Letter 103
- Letter 104
- Letter 95
- Letter 136
- Letter 138
- Letter 10*
- Letter 250
- Letter 1*
- Sermon 335C
- 2. Bishops and civil authorities
- Letter 133
- Letter 134
- Letter 139
- Letter 152
- Letter 153
- Letter 154
- Letter 155
- 3. Judicial authority
- Commentary on the Gospel of John, 33
- Sermon 302
- Sermon 13
- 4. The Donatist controversy
- Letter 51
- Letter 66
- Letter 86
- Letter 100
- Letter 87
- Letter 88
- Letter 173
- Letter 204
- Letter 105
- Letter 185
- 5. War and peace
- The sacking of the city of Rome
- Letter 189
- Letter 220
- Letter 229
- Bibliographical notes
- Maps
- Index of persons and places
- Index of topics.
