Julian the Apostate / Abbot Giuseppe Ricciotti

Flavius Claudius Julianus (331-363), known to history as Julian the Apostate, is one of the most interesting Roman Emperors (361- 363), and his life is one of the most fascinating in all of ancient history. (There is more accurate historical information about him than about any other Emperor.) The nephew of Constantine the Great, he succeeded Constantius (337-361 - Constantines son) as Roman Emperor in 361, but ruled only some 18 months. Yet despite his short life and brief rule, he did many amazing things and his life gives a wonderful picture of the myriad problems faced by the Empire in those years. Well educated in the liberal arts, he later adapted himself quickly to a military career, becoming an able general in Gaul (France), where he pacified the border with Germany, vigorously fighting numerous campaigns. Early in his life he lost the Catholic Faith and reverted to worship of the pagan gods. When he became Emperor, he brought back animal sacrifice and even attempted to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. His life and reign ended in a disastrous campaign against the Persians in lower Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and Kuwait), which he had pursued despite numerous signs and warnings against waging this war. Many important lessons emerge from this absorbing study of Julian the Apostate: Deceived by false philosophy (Gal. 2:8), Julian abandoned the True Faith, attempted officially to reintroduce Paganism, fought numerous battles to ward off invasions of the barbarian Germans, attempted an insurrection, risked fomenting a civil war to usurp power, became Emperor by a fortunate accident, and died in a disastrous campaign that he was warned not to attempt. Written for both the historian and student of secular and Church history, Julian the Apostate will enlighten even the military historian. All will gain great insight into the science of history by a reading of this unusual life by Giuseppe Ricciotti.