# Minerva — The City of God character guide

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

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Greeks, The Greeks, Homer, the Minerva of Homer, who interposed in the ranks of the Greeks

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

## Who they are

Roman goddess of wisdom, often identified with Athena, and a subject of pagan worship critique.

## In the story

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

Her image was stolen from Troy, illustrating the failure of pagan gods to protect their own.

### [Chapter X: The Malice of Devils in Permitting False Crimes to Be Laid to Their Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Referenced as part of the Greek pantheon whose character influenced the tolerance of stage vices.

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

Minerva's statue is said to have been found standing uninjured amidst the ruins of her temple after the destruction.

### [Whether Rome ought to have been entrusted to the Trojan gods?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-viii)

Her image remained standing during Fimbria's destruction of Troy, questioning the gods' presence.

### [Of the temple of Concord, which was erected by a decree of the senate on the scene of these seditions and massacres.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxv)

Implied as one of the three goddesses in the Judgment of Paris, contributing to the discord that destroyed Troy.

### [Chapter X: The Absurdity of Assigning Multiple Gods to Different Parts of the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Questioned regarding her place in the Capitol and her origin from Jove's head; her role among the gods is critiqued.

### [Concerning the many gods whom the pagan doctors defend as being one and the same Jove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xi)

Listed among the deities that are said to be Jupiter in learning

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxi)

Listed among the gods whose instruction is rendered unnecessary by virtue.

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

Minerva is referenced alongside Juno, with women arranging her hair and holding mirrors in the Capitol.

### [Chapter III: How there is no reason which can be shown for the selection of certain gods, when the administration of more exalted offices is assigned to many inferior gods.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Select goddess of memory and arts, contrasted with lesser gods like Mena.

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

Varro makes Minerva signify the ideas (Platonic forms), but later assigns her to the earth, contradicting his own scheme.

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

Mentioned as a goddess in Homer, but Apuleius interprets her as a demon in poetical fiction.

### [Chapter VIII: Who Were Kings When Moses Was Born, and What Gods Began to Be Worshipped Then](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

Worshipped as a goddess; appeared in virgin age at the lake Triton in the times of Ogyges.

### [The Founding of Athens and Varro's Account of Its Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-ix)

Goddess who competed with Neptune for the naming of Athens; won by women's votes.

### [Of the rituals of false gods instituted by the kings of Greece in the period from Israel’s exodus from Egypt down to the death of Joshua the son of Nun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xii)

Goddess associated with Ericthonius; games were instituted in her honor with the olive as prize.

## Links

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