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Short Biography
about the life of Julian the Apostate
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of
Julian the Apostate, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.
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Name commonly known as: Julian the Apostate
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Latin Roman Name:
Flavius Claudius Julianus
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Reigned as Roman Emperor /
Caesar: Reigned as Caesar: 6 November 355 - February 360 the joint
ruler as Augustus February 360 - 3 November 361 and finally as sole
Augustus: 3 November 361 -
26 June 363
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Dynasty / Historical Period:
The Constantinian dynasty (285 - 364) also called the Neo-Flavian
period
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Date of Birth: Julian the
Apostate was born May or June 332AD in Constantinople
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Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Julian the Apostate was
Constantius II
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Family connections / Genealogy
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Place and Date of Death:
Julian the Apostate died 26 June 363 at Maranga in Mesopotamia
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For the names of the next
Roman emperors in the East and the West of the Empire refer to the
Timeline of
Roman Emperors
Why was he called Julian the Apostate?
Julian the Apostate was known by this name
because of his rejection of Christianity in favour of the
old Roman gods and his attempt to rid the empire of
Christianity. Julian was the last non-Christian Roman
Emperor.
The Family of Julian the Apostate
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor
Julian the Apostate from the following facts and information about his life.
Julian the Apostate was the nephew of the emperor
Constantine the Great and the cousin of his sons, who
succeeded the famous emperor: Crispus, Constantine II,
Constantius II and Constans. Three of the brothers died an
early death leaving only Constantius II who he dreaded his
young cousin Julian, the only relation he had left. Julian
was full of spirit and ability, and Emperor Constantius II
thought it best to keep him at a distance by sending him to
fight the Germans on the borders of Gaul. There Julian was
so successful and was such a favorite with the soldiers,
that Emperor Constantius II sent to recall him. This only
made the army proclaim Julian the Emperor. Julian set out
with the army across the Danube country towards
Constantinople, but on the way received the news that
Constantius II had died of a fever November 3, 361 AD. Interesting facts
about the life of Julian the Apostate
Why was Julian the Apostate famous?
Accomplishments, achievements and important events. Julian
had studied at Athens, and it seemed to him that the old
Greek philosophy seemed to him far grander than the
Christianity that showed itself in the lives of Constantius
and his courtiers. Although baptised a Christian he never
really believed in this new religion. Julian wore simple
clothes and had the manners of a philosopher. He was free
from vice, possessed considerable learning and wrote a work
of some value, in which he compared and studied the
characters of the long line of his predecessors. Julian
resolved to restore the ancient form of religion. He
sacrificed to the pagan gods, rebuilt their temples, revived
the practice of augury or divination. In order to mortify
the Christians, he resolved to rebuild the Temple of
Jerusalem, and restore the Jews to their ancient seat. But
some natural phenomenon interposed; the workmen were driven
away by balls of fire, and Julian abandoned this project.
Except for his hostility toward the Christians, whose faith
he had once professed, Julian seems to have made a sincere
attempt to improve the condition of his people. He lived
with frugality, rewarded merit, and encouraged learning,
except where it was employed in the defence of Christianity.
He was also successful in his wars against the Germans and
the Persians. Julian was eventually defeated by the Persians
and was killed A.D. 363 on June 26th. His successor was Jovian
who was the general present at the time of his death.
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