v34_1048 - GIULIANO II Silique

JULIAN II THE PHILOSOPHER

(6/11/355-26/06/363)

Caésar

Julian II was born in 330 in Constantinople. Spared during the massacre of his entire family in 337, he was sent into exile with his half-brother Constantius Galle. When the latter becomes Caesar, he obtains semi-freedom and completes his education, particularly in Athens. Converted to Christianity by force, he remained deeply pagan and was initiated into the worship of Eleusis and that of Mithras. After the death of Constantius Galle, he became Caesar on November 6, 355. Constantius sent him to Gaul to restore order, but without effective powers. He freed himself from this guardianship and won a great victory near Strasbourg in 357. He established his headquarters in Lutèce. It was there, in February 360, that he was proclaimed august by his troops, the first emperor on a shield..