Flavius Claudius Julianus was proclaimed emperor in 360 A.D. by the rebellious legions of Gaul, who adored him. A man with a turbulent childhood - his family members had been murdered - and studies in Athens, the young Caesar Julian found himself suddenly in a position where he could, and had to, determine the future of the empire.

His reign was an interlude of paganism amidst the triumphant Christianity, against which the "Greek-educated" and romantic Julian dared to stand up. History, attributing to him the traits of a transgressor and a renegade, overlooks the political and social actions of the man and shows that the Christian religion was adept at fighting its enemies.

In Julian's letters, however, one can easily discern the virtues of the emperor, such as the sensitivity of the intellectual, the determination of a strong character, as well as a serious effort to reform society. The above makes these texts an attractive study, but also a valuable historical source.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]