# Abel — The City of God character guide

> Abel in The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-book-i

## Who they are

Second son of Adam, murdered by his brother Cain, a type of the righteous sufferer.

## In the story

### [Book X: True Worship and the Way to Blessedness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-book-x)

Mentioned as an example of ancient sacrifice, whose offering was accepted by God.

### [That Sacrifice Is Due to the True God Only](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Younger brother whose sacrifice God accepted.

### [Book XV: The Progress of the Two Cities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-book-xv)

Second son of Adam, a sojourner on earth and citizen of the heavenly city, killed by his brother Cain.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-i)

Second son of Adam and Eve, belonging to the city of God; a sojourner who built no city.

### [Of the fratricidal act of the founder of the earthly city, and the corresponding crime of the founder of Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-v)

Righteous brother slain by Cain, a citizen of the eternal city.

### [Chapter VII: Of the Cause of Cain's Crime and His Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-vii)

Righteous shepherd whose sacrifice was accepted by God; prefigures Christ as the Shepherd of the flock.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

The righteous brother slain by Cain, replaced by Seth in the genealogical record.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xv)

Second son of Adam, slain by Cain, foreshadows the persecution of the heavenly city.

### [Of the two fathers and leaders who sprang from one progenitor.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii)

His death exhibited a marvellous mystery, leading to the two distinct lines from Cain and Seth.

### [The Significance of Abel, Seth, and Enos to Christ and His Body the Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii)

Signifies 'grief' and prefigures the death of Christ.

### [Chapter XXI: The Two Cities from Cain and Seth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi)

Murdered by Cain; his resurrection is typified by Seth's line.

### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-li)

First righteous martyr, slain by his wicked brother, marking the beginning of the Church's pilgrimage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters/abel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/characters