Julian and Christianity

The Roman emperor Julian is a figure of ongoing interest and the subject of this book. This unique examination of Julian as the last pagan emperor and anti-Christian polemicist revolves around his drive and status as a ruler. The book outlines the dramatic impact of Julian's short-lived regime on the course of history, with a particular emphasis on his relationship with Christianity. Julian has experienced a wide-ranging reception throughout history, shaped by both adulation and vitriol, along with controversies and rumors that question his sanity and passive ruling. His connections to Christianity, however, are rooted in his regime's open hostility, which the book shows is outlined explicitly in Oration 7: To the Cynic Heracleios. A close reading of Oration 7 highlights not only Julian's extensive anti-Christian religious program and decided rejection of Christianity but also his brilliant, calculated use of that same religion. These attributes were inextricably tied to Julian's relationship with Christianity — and how he appropriated certain theological elements from the religion for his own religious framework, from texts to deities. The book brings together ancient history, Neoplatonist philosophy, and patristic theology to what is a deeply immersive look at Julian's life, one that considers his multifaceted rule and the deliberate maneuvers he made on behalf of political ascendancy.