# Scipio Nasica — The City of God character guide

> Scipio Nasica in The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the famous Scipio Nasica, Scipio, Scipio Nasica, Nasica

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

## Who they are

Roman senator praised for his virtue and opposition to the destruction of Carthage.

## In the story

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

Roman statesman who warned that prosperity would corrupt Rome, preferring an enemy to keep morals intact.

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

Not directly mentioned, but referenced indirectly through the discussion of Roman generals.

### [The Moral Decay of Rome and the Fear of Security](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxx)

Cited as the best citizen and pontiff who opposed the destruction of Carthage, fearing that security would corrupt Roman morals.

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

Adjudged Rome's best man; opposed destruction of Carthage and resisted building theater seats to preserve Roman virtue.

### [Of the establishment of scenic entertainments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxxii)

Mentioned as the pontiff who prohibited the construction of a theatre to prevent moral pestilence.

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

Cited as a prudent leader who prohibited theatres to preserve virtue and warned against the corrupting influence of prosperity.

### [Of the obscenities practised in honour of the mother of the gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-v)

Chosen by the senate as the most worthy citizen to receive the image of Cybele; Augustine invokes him as a judge of the obscene rites, arguing he would be ashamed.

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

Interlocutor in Cicero's De Republica, who comments on the lewdness of comedy and the Twelve Tables' penalty for pasquinades.

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

Quoted as boasting about Roman laws protecting citizens from poetic slander while allowing gods to be defamed.

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

Cited as a witness to Roman disdain for players, recorded in Cicero.

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

Mentioned as opposing the destruction of Carthage, believing fear of Carthage would restrain Roman vices.

### [Chapter XXI: Cicero's Opinion of the Roman Republic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxi)

Interlocutor in Cicero's dialogue, who defines a republic as the weal of the people and argues that justice is essential for its existence.

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

Cited as an example of virtuous Roman ancestors whose virtue is perfected by true piety.

### [Of the ingratitude of Rome to Scipio, its deliverer, and of its manners during the period which Sallust describes as the best.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxi)

The great Scipio, liberator of Rome and Italy, who defeated Hannibal and subdued Carthage, was forced into exile at Liternum due to accusations from his enemies.

### [Concerning the three kinds of gods about which the pontiff Scaevola has discoursed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxvii)

Referred to as the learned pontiff Scaevola who distinguished three kinds of gods.

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

Not directly mentioned, but the context of Roman poverty and virtue includes figures like Fabricius and Cincinnatus.

### [Of the power delegated to demons for the trial and glorification of the saints, who conquer not by propitiating the spirits of the air, but by abiding in God.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xxi)

Cited as an example of one who conquered by valor (earning the title Africanus) rather than by appeasing enemies, paralleling the martyrs' victory over demons.

### [Whether There Ever Was a Roman Republic Answering to the Definitions of Scipio in Cicero's Dialogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi)

The character in Cicero's dialogue who defines a republic as the weal of the people, associated by common acknowledgment of right.

## Links

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