This work is unique in treating Augustine's The City of God book by book in depth with expertise commentary. It will prove valuable to any student interested in Augustine and to any advanced scholar working with issues of theology, philosophy, cultural studies and political theory in the ancient world and today.

1. Book 1: Rome's crumbling and consecration as the beginnings of Augustine's theological historiography David Vincent Meconi; 2. Book 2: Romulus's city: peace without justice in Augustine's political thought Oliver O'Donovan; 3. Book 3: Rome's woes before Christ: history and rhetoric in The City of God Christian Tornau; 4. Books 4 and 5: Roman religion and just power Dean Hammer; 5. Books 6 and 7: nature, convention, politics and civil religion Mary Keys; 6. Books 8, 9 and 10: Augustine and Platonism Mark Edwards; 7. Books 11 and 12: angels and demons: the eternal foundations of the two cities James Wetzel; 8. Books 13 and 14: the incomprehensibility of the fall and its consequences for humanity Mathijs Lamberigts; 9. Books 15 and 16: Genesis, Paul, and Salvation history for the citizens of God's city Jonathan Yates; 10. Books 17 and 18: prophecy as proof Michael Sweeney; 11. Book 19: the ends of the two cities: Augustine's appeal for peace Andrew Hofer; 12. Book 20: the last day: judgment purification, and transformation Isabel Moreira; 13. Books 21 and 22: the end of the body: heaven and hell in The City of God David G. Hunter; 14. Epilogue: the architectonic plan of The City of God John Cavadini.