Julian (emperor)

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Visit of the Hôtel de Cluny 20150707 - 26

Julien crowned Emperor in Cluny in February 360

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Julian (Latin: Flavius Claudius Julianus Augustus; 331/332 – 26 June 363), also known as Julian the Apostate, was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 361 to 363. His reign marked a significant departure from his predecessors as he attempted to restore Paganism in an empire that had been becoming increasingly Christian under Constantine the Great and his sons. Julian's efforts to revive ancient Roman religious practices and his opposition to Christianity have earned him the epithet "the Apostate" by later Christian historians.

Early Life

Julian was born in Constantinople, the last surviving male of the Constantinian dynasty. His early life was marked by the political turmoil that followed the death of Constantine the Great, leading to Julian being raised away from the imperial court. Despite this, he received a comprehensive education, studying under some of the most distinguished scholars of his time, which instilled in him a lifelong love for philosophy and the classical past.

Rise to Power

Julian's rise to power began in 355 when his cousin, Constantius II, summoned him to the court and made him Caesar of the West. Julian proved to be an effective leader, particularly noted for his successful campaign against the Germanic tribes along the Rhine. His popularity with the army grew, and in 360, they proclaimed him Augustus (emperor), a title he initially accepted reluctantly.

Reign

As emperor, Julian initiated a series of reforms aimed at restructuring the Roman government and military. He sought to reduce the influence of the Christian church in state affairs, promoting religious tolerance towards paganism and other religions. Julian's most controversial policy was his attempt to restore paganism as the state religion, which included the re-establishment of pagan rituals and the rebuilding of temples.

Despite his religious policies, Julian was tolerant of private Christian worship, and his administration was marked by a degree of religious freedom not seen in previous reigns. However, his efforts to revive paganism were largely unsuccessful, facing resistance from a Christian population that was by then deeply entrenched in the empire.

Persian Campaign and Death

In 363, Julian embarked on an ambitious military campaign against the Sassanian Empire, Rome's perennial enemy in the east. The campaign initially met with success, but Julian was mortally wounded during a skirmish. He died on 26 June 363, and his death marked the end of the Constantinian dynasty. Julian's last words are reported to have been a lament on his failure to restore paganism.

Legacy

Julian's brief reign is a subject of significant historical interest and debate. He is often remembered for his failed attempt to reverse the Christianization of the Roman Empire. His writings, including his work "Against the Galileans," provide valuable insight into the religious and philosophical debates of his time.

Following Julian's death, the empire returned to Christian rule under his successor, Jovian, and subsequent emperors. Julian's attempts to restore paganism had only a temporary impact, but he remains a significant figure in the history of the late Roman Empire for his unique attempt to challenge the Christianization process.