Julian

Rome's Last Pagan Emperor

By: Philip Freeman

Narrated by: Jonathan Johns

"When we think of ancient Rome, it's impossible not to think of Christianity, one of its most notable exports-but what if it hadn't been? This is the question provoked by classicist Philip Freeman in Julian, an appealing new entry in Yale's Ancient Lives series, which tells the story of the old faith's last imperial torchbearer."-Anna Heyward, New York Times Book Review

Flavius Claudius Julianus, or Julian the Apostate, ruled Rome as sole emperor for just a year and a half, from 361 to 363, but during that time he turned the world upside down. Although a nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, Julian fought to return Rome to the old gods who had led his ancestors to build their vast empire.

As emperor, Julian set about reforming the administration, conquering new territories, and reviving ancient religions. He was scorned in his time for repudiating Christianity and demonized as an apostate for willfully rejecting Christ. Through the centuries, Julian has been viewed by many as a tragic figure who sought to save Rome from its enemies and the corrupting influence of Christianity. Christian writers and historians have seen Julian much differently: as a traitor to God and violent oppressor of Christians. Had Julian not been killed by a random Persian spear, he might well have changed all of history.

©2023 Philip Freeman (P)2024 Tantor

A short blaze of glory

I didn't know too much about julian other than the fact that he was a pagan. Through this book I learnt so much about this incredible man. To grow up pagan with a completely christian upbringing and hide some of your firmest beliefs from the world required a lot of mental strength.
This philosopher king is now one of my favourite people from history.
The author and the narrator have done an incredible job with this audiobook.

Emperor Julian

Great biography of Emperor Julian the Apostate and that he turned the world upside down during his short reign 361 AD- 363 AD trying to return Rome to the old days of the Gods.

fine I guess

there's a much better book to write about Julian, but the author would need to be much more interested in Julian's education and the social history of the interactions between the philosophical schools, local cults, and the divided Christians. this is an okay short summary of a life of an eclectic emperor, but fails to make him feel real through a shallow context setting