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Originally Posted by a mere housewife  I've been rather fascinated with Julian the Apostate since I found out the line in Swinburne, "Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean" is attributed to him in death: Quote:
Julian is repeating, in reverse, the actions of his uncle Constantine in favouring Christianity. He intends to put in place a network of pagan priests and officials throughout the empire of the kind established by the Christians. This view of tomorrow does not appeal to yesterday's elite.
To what extent the young emperor might have achieved his aim is one of history's interesting speculations. In Christian eyes God gives a swift and decisive answer when Julian is killed, in 363, in a skirmish against the Persians. A rumour, first heard a century later, offers wry satisfaction. It is said that in his dying words the apostate cedes victory to Christ: Vicisti, Galilaee (Thou hast conquered, Galilean).
| from this site.
I could be mistaken, but I don't believe paganism was outlawed until Theodosius took over after him, largely as a response to the measures he had taken to suppress Christianity and promote paganism. I've wondered if the pagan influence was more prominent or -unified or something in the EOC with some elements of mystery religion feel/appeal; and if he had anything to do with that. |
This is exactly right. If I recall correctly, Julian was actually pontifex maximus. Constantine made Christianity a
relgio licta (a tolerated religion), Theodosius made it the religion of the Empire.
One other point: both Constantine and Julian are not technically
Byzantine emperors, but rather Roman Emperors.