Julian, Philip Freeman
Julian, Philip Freeman
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Julian
Rome's Last Pagan Emperor

Author: Philip Freeman

Narrator: Jonathan Johns

Unabridged: 4 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/30/2024


Synopsis

"When we think of ancient Rome, it's impossible not to think of Christianity, one of its most notable exports—but what if it hadn't been? This is the question provoked by classicist Philip Freeman in Julian, an appealing new entry in Yale's Ancient Lives series, which tells the story of the old faith's last imperial torchbearer."—Anna Heyward, New York Times Book Review

Flavius Claudius Julianus, or Julian the Apostate, ruled Rome as sole emperor for just a year and a half, from 361 to 363, but during that time he turned the world upside down. Although a nephew of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, Julian fought to return Rome to the old gods who had led his ancestors to build their vast empire.

As emperor, Julian set about reforming the administration, conquering new territories, and reviving ancient religions. He was scorned in his time for repudiating Christianity and demonized as an apostate for willfully rejecting Christ. Through the centuries, Julian has been viewed by many as a tragic figure who sought to save Rome from its enemies and the corrupting influence of Christianity. Christian writers and historians have seen Julian much differently: as a traitor to God and violent oppressor of Christians. Had Julian not been killed by a random Persian spear, he might well have changed all of history.

About Philip Freeman

Philip Freeman is Fletcher Jones Chair and professor of the humanities at Pepperdine University. His books include Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Darmok on November 07, 2024

An entry in Yale University Press' Ancient Lives series, Julian: Rome's Last Pagan Emperor is a brief (45,000 word) introduction to a fascinating figure. What It's About Nephew to Rome's first Christian emperor, Julian had a solitary, bookish childhood, immersed in both Christian scriptures and Greek......more

Goodreads review by David on May 05, 2024

A short, solid read about a relatively minor and very short-lived emporer who followed in Constantine's family line. Freeman writes with an academic tilt, with few frills and relatively little deviations into conjecture or imaginative story-telling. If you don't love unadorned history (I do), this i......more

Goodreads review by Elsa on July 21, 2023

** I received an ARC from Yale University Press in exchange for an honest review ** “Although a nephew of the first Christian emperor of Rome, Julian soon openly abandoned his family’s faith and fought to return Rome to the old gods, who had led his ancestors to build one of the greatest empires the......more

Goodreads review by MT on May 31, 2024

- เหมือนชีวิตพึงมาอินancient historyก็ต้นปีนี้เอง(โดยเฉพาะยุคโรมัน) newbieสุด จริงๆมีหลายเล่มที่อ่านหรือฟังอยู่ แต่แลดูจะไม่จบซักเล่มเลย คิดว่าปัญหาน่าจะมาจากการเลือกอ่านแต่ปวศกึ่งวิพากษ์ไม่ก็งานวิทยานิพนธ์เยอะเกินไป พอได้มาเริ่มอ่านอะไรที่มันว่าด้วยปวศโดยตรงเลยก็มีเซและหลับอยู่เหมือนกัน (ต้องละลายพ......more

Goodreads review by Benjamin on August 30, 2024

Actually a very good introduction. The Ancient Lives series has some bangers (though not Vergil). It’s a very thorough but calm biography.......more