A.D. 361-363.
[Born at Constantinople, A.D. 331. Died in Persia, A.D. 363. Aged 32.]
Unquestionably a ruler of extraordinary capacity and power. He was the
nephew of Constantine the Great, and was brought up in strict seclusion
by the Christians, in order to save him from Constantius II., who, upon
his accession, had murdered the male members of Julian’s family. He
withdrew for a time to Athens; was thence recalled by the relenting
Constantius, and invested with command in Gaul. He resided chiefly in
Paris, and it is worthy of note that at a time of scarcity in that city,
Julian drew his supplies of corn from England. During his stay in Gaul,
the soldiers proclaimed him Emperor. He marched against Constantinople,
but before he reached the city Constantius had died. Julian, created
Emperor, renounced Christianity for the Paganism of Greece; hence the
name which he has carried as a brand ever since. The Heathens extol this
prince, the Christians blame him. His life at least was pure, and his
rule sagacious; and, although he naturally hated his former
co-religionists, he was no religious persecutor. After his accession to
the throne he carried war into Persia, where he was slain in battle. He
was a prince of profound knowledge, of great eloquence, and remarkable
for philosophic calm. He professed Stoicism. He was also a writer, and
many of his works, displaying reflexion and inquiring thought, have come
down to us.
[From the marble in the Capitoline Museum at Rome. A very interesting
statue of Julian will be found described under No. 92, Handbook of
Greek Court.]