The Problem of Constantine

This chapter details how Constantine presented Julian with a different problem altogether from his son Constantius. It argues that long-dead emperors are impervious to manipulation or pressure. The chapter also elaborates on the birthplace of Constantine in Naissus and how he had periodically resided at the city as emperor. It notes the significance of Naissus in relation to Julian and Constantine, as such a location likely served as a catalyst for Julian's hatred of Constantine and Constantius II. The chapter then jumps to assess how Constantine's Christianization makes openly pagan rule difficult. It narrates how Julian blamed his cousin Constantius II for the murders, and his uncle Constantine for creating the ruthless and hypocritical conditions that made the murders possible. The chapter examines the conflict between paganism and Christianity, in terms of a titanic struggle for the future of the empire between the divinities of traditional paganism and an upstart apostate named Constantine.