The City of God · Character

Cain

The first murderer, whose offering was rejected and who founded the earthly city on his brother's blood.

supporting

Also known as Tubal-Cain

As a supporting figure in The City of God, Cain is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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

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Cain is Augustine's founding citizen of the earthly city, the counterpart to Abel's pilgrim people, and his lineage runs through Tubal-Cain into every kingdom built on domination. His rejected sacrifice and fratricide dramatize the primal split between love of self and love of God that Augustine traces through all of history. He matters because Rome itself, in Augustine's reading, is Cain's city writ large.

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See Cain in part i book i

Character Web

27 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Patriarchs and Pagan Figures
Roman Founders and Tyrants
Noah's Descendants

+22 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the irreversible psychological and spiritual turning poin…

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In the story

Cain appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book X: True Worship and the Way to Blessedness
Mentioned as an example of ancient sacrifice, whose offering was rejected by God.
That Sacrifice Is Due to the True God Only
Elder brother whose sacrifice God rejected.
XIV
Mentioned as a contrast: unlike Adam and Eve, Cain denied his deed outright.
Book XV: The Progress of the Two Cities
Firstborn son of Adam, founder of the earthly city, and a fratricide who killed his brother Abel.
I
Firstborn of Adam and Eve, belonging to the city of men; built a city.
Of the fratricidal act of the founder of the earthly city, and the corresponding crime of the founder of Rome
Founder of the earthly city, slew his brother Abel out of envy.
Chapter VII: Of the Cause of Cain's Crime and His Obstinacy
Founder of the earthly city; envied his brother Abel, ignored God's warning, and committed fratricide.
VIII
The fratricide who built a city named after his son Enoch, representing the earthly city.
Of the long life and greater stature of the antediluvians
Mentioned as the builder of a city, whose possibility is supported by the long lives of the antediluvians.
XV
Firstborn son of Adam, founder of the earthly city, murderer of Abel.
Of the two fathers and leaders who sprang from one progenitor.
Founder of the earthly city; his name means 'possession,' and his line ends with carnal generations.
The Generations of Cain and Seth: The Two Cities Before the Flood
Founder of the earthly city; his line terminates in the eighth generation with Lamech's children, symbolizing sin.
Chapter XXI: The Two Cities from Cain and Seth
Founder of the earthly city; his son Enoch names the city built on earthly possession.
Chapter XXIII: On the Nature of Angels and the Birth of Giants
Referenced as the father of the ungodly line from which the 'daughters of men' came, leading to the corruption of the Sethites.

Chapter companion notes

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See Cain in part i book i

See Cain in Book X: True Worship and the Way to Blessedness