This is the first new rendition for a generation of The City of God, the first major intellectual achievement of Latin Christianity and one of the classic texts of Western civilisation. When he began to write The City of God in 413, St. Augustine's intention was to defend the Christian Church against the charge of having brought about the Sack of Rome in 410. Outgrowing this initial purpose, the work evolved into a detailed critique of the political and moral tradition of Rome and a synthesis of Platonism and Christianity which must stand as one of the most significant achievements in Western intellectual history. Apart from its intrinsic interest the Christian account of social and political relations which Augustine gives was to furnish one of the most fertile sources of material for the controversial literature of the middle ages. R. W. Dyson has produced a complete, accurate, authoritative and fluent translation of The City of God, edited together with full biographical notes, a concise introduction, bibliographical note and chronology of Augustine's life.

Accompanied by a commentary, this volume presents the Latin text of one of the great classics of Christian literature. Books I-IV of the Confessions reflect on Augustine's infancy and childhood, adolescent rebellion and student days, as well as his early teaching career.

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"It is an excellent addition to the resources available for students and teachers of the Confessions and of Christian Latin generally." John C. Cavadini, Anglican Theological Review

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Dyson's wonderfully lucid, carefully literal and historically sensitive translation ? makes this the edition that most readers will now choose to consult ? We must be grateful for this excellent new translation.? The Times Higher Education Supplement

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'It reads remarkably well; it is elegant, generally succeeds in reproducing the rhetorical colouring Augustine frequently gives his argument, and, is remarkably faithful to the text. A short but helpful introduction ... provides the necessary information about the context of the work, and summarises the main points of Augustine's political thought. The book is handsome and well produced.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History