Author: Jennifer Barry, Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, University of Mary Washington - Academia.edu, Google Scholar, Knowledge Commons, Wikipedia

Abstract: »Sexual violence in times of war is infinitely complex, particularly when religion informs the historical narrative. A famous example of invasion and destruction that lives on in the Christian memory is the sack of Rome in 410 C.E., famously recounted in Augustine’s City of God. In this article, I explore the various ways the specific experiences of sexual violence against women addressed in Book I are easily forgotten. Augustine carefully crafts a troubling argument: all claims to female chastity are suspect and thus easily dismissed. He accomplishes this through three rhetorical moves. First, Augustine sets up his discussion on sexual violation as a specifically Christian concern that calls for words of consolation rather than of defense. The virtue of those violated during times of conflict is judged not by outsiders but by God. Next, he narrows the scope of who merits such consolation by removing those who take their own lives to avoid sexual violation: women who might have been memorialized as martyrs are instead denounced as murderers. Finally, Augustine shifts the blame of human suffering, epitomized by the rapturous violation of the female body, back onto the victim by drawing on his larger theme of the human condition scarred by pride. Ultimately, by calling into question the motives of the violated—or would be violated—women, Augustine makes it easy to dismiss them from the collective Christian memory.« (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Religion)

Contents:

	Memory as History (p. 238)
	Commemorating the Victim (p. 241)
	Damning the Female Martyr (p. 245)
	Suspicious Claims (p. 248)
	Conclusion (p. 250)
	References (p. 251)

Wikipedia: Ancient history: Ancient Rome / Western Roman Empire: Religious text: Christian texts / Augustine of Hippo, The City of God | Sex and the law: Rape / History of rape