HKB
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Often appears with: roman empire · religious persecution and toleration · false gods · eternal kingdom · empire and the rule of provinces
Usually: argument (1) · detachment (1)
Augustine argues that because the false gods are appeased (or rather blamed) by shameful worship, they could not have helped the Romans gain or extend empire, whereas worship of the one true God would yield better rule and lasting kingdom.
it is he to whom the greatest wrong is done by you, because you have thought he ought to be worshipped along with them, and have styled him their king? 28. _Whether the worship of the gods has been of service to the Romans in obtaining and extending the empire._ Therefore such gods, who are propitiated by such honours, or rather are impeached by them (for it is a greater crime to delight in having such …