Julian the Apostate

Julian's apostasy

Around 361 AD, Julian publicly renounced his Christian beliefs and announced his paganism.

Julian's war against Christianity

He got rid of laws hostile to paganism, took away privileges previously granted to Christian churches, and declared an end to Imperial financial support for Christian churches. He also favored the Jews in the hopes that more people would become Jews rather than Christians.

Julian's an agent of Satan???

He practiced magic, divinations, omens, theurgy, and weird elaborate animal sacrifices. This made Christians see him as an agent of Satan.

Julian's attempt at war

He thought he had the divine power to be the next Alexander the Great. From his base in Antioch (highly Christian city that he tried and failed to paganize) he attacked Persia under Shapur II. Things went well for Julian until he couldn't capture Ctesiphon and in 363 AD was, as rumor has it, stabbed in the liver and killed by a Christian in his own ranks. Shapur used this to taunt the retreating Romans.

Julian's education

He was educated by Bishop George of Cappadocia and read Greek philosophy and Classical literature, becoming attracted to Helenism.

Julian's rise to power

In 361 AD, Julian came to be Emperor (after his brother Gallus failed at being emperor and was executed) and used his power to start a (metaphorical) war against Christianity.

Julian's background

Julian was raised a Christian, but came to hate Christianity because people who were Christians murdered his family and forced him into exile.