Julian's Gods: Religion and Philosophy in the Thought and Action of Julian the ApostateJulian's brief reign (360-363 AD) had a profound impact on his contemporaries, as he worked fervently for a pagan restoration in the Roman Empire, which was rapidly becoming Christian. Julian's Gods focuses on the cultural mentality of `the last pagan Emperor' by examining a wide variety of his own writings. The surviving speeches and treatises, satires and letters offer a rare insight into the personal attitudes and motivations of a remarkable Emperor. They show Julian as a highly educated man, an avid student of Greek philosophy, and a talented author in his own right. This elegant and closely-argued study will deepen understanding not only of Julian, but of the context of fourth century Neoplatonism. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Julians Education and Philosophic Ideal | 23 |
the Invectives against Cynics | 49 |
4 The Chaldaean Oracles and Neoplatonist Theurgy | 91 |
Julian as Initiate | 114 |
Doctrine in the Hymns and the Piety of Public Cult | 139 |
7 The Apostate Against the Christians | 179 |
Envoi | 219 |
Notes | 225 |
Select bibliography | 286 |
Index | 294 |
Other editions - View all
Julian's Gods: Religion and Philosophy in the Thought and Action of Julian ... Rowland B. E. Smith No preview available - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
allusions Ammianus Antioch Apollo appeal argument Athanassiadi-Fowden Athens Bowersock Caesars Chaldaean Oracles claim Constantius conversion criticism cultural Cumont Cybele Cynics Dio Chrysostom Diogenes discussion divine earlier Emperor Epictetus Eunap Eunapius Eusebius evidence fact Galilaeans gods Greek Helios Heraclius hymn to Helios Iamblichan Iamblichus Ibid ideal imperial imply initiation interest interpretation issue judgement Julian and Hellenism Julian the Apostate King Helios L'Empereur Julien Late Antiquity later letter Libanius literary Lucian MacMullen Marc Marcus Mardonius Maximus Metroac Misopogon Mithraic Mithraic doctrine Mithraism Mithras Mystery cults myth Neoplatonism Neoplatonist Nock noetic notion Oenomaus opponents pagan Pagans and Christians paideia Paris passage philo philosophic Platonic Platonist Plotinus polemic political Porphyry practice Priest 89b Bidez Priscus Proclus reign religion religious rhetoric ritual Roman Empire Sallustius Sol Invictus soul speech Stoics suggest temples Themistius theurgist theurgy Turcan virtue worship writings