JULIAN II APOSTATA (360-363). Double Maiorina. Cyzicus.

Obv : D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG.
Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.

Rev : SECVRITAS REIPVB / CVZICA.
Bull, with head facing, standing right; two stars above.
RIC 127.

Condition : Light green patina with slight wear.Very fine.

Material : Copper.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 7.98 gr
Diameter : 27 mm

Julian II, often referred to as Julian the Apostate, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 361 to 363 CE. He is best known for his efforts to restore paganism and reverse the growing influence of Christianity in the Roman Empire, which had been promoted by his predecessors, particularly Constantine the Great and his sons. Julian's brief but eventful reign earned him the title "Apostate" due to his rejection of Christianity, which was the dominant religion by that time.

Born in 331 or 332 CE in Constantinople, Julian was a member of the Constantinian dynasty and the nephew of Constantine the Great. After the death of his father, Julius Constantius, and the violent purges carried out by his cousin Constantius II (who sought to eliminate rival claimants to the throne), Julian and his half-brother Gallus were spared but kept under close watch. During his youth, Julian was educated in philosophy, literature, and classical Greek culture, which influenced his later religious and philosophical outlook.

Julian was initially a Christian and was raised as such, but as he grew older, he became increasingly interested in Neoplatonism, Greek philosophy, and the traditional Roman and Hellenistic gods. These influences led him to secretly abandon Christianity and embrace paganism, though he did not openly declare his religious views while Constantius II remained emperor.

In 355 CE, Julian was made *Caesar* (junior emperor) by Constantius II and given command over the western provinces, particularly Gaul, which was under threat from Germanic invasions. Julian proved to be an able military commander, successfully defending the empire's borders and gaining the loyalty of his troops. His most notable military achievement during this time was his victory over the Alamanni at the Battle of Strasbourg in 357 CE, which solidified his reputation as a competent leader.

In 360 CE, tensions between Julian and Constantius II escalated, partly due to the loyalty Julian commanded from his troops. In a move that surprised many, Julian's army proclaimed him *Augustus* (senior emperor), leading to a potential civil war between Julian and Constantius. However, before the conflict could come to a head, Constantius II died in 361 CE, leaving Julian as the undisputed emperor.

Upon becoming emperor, Julian openly declared his rejection of Christianity and began promoting the revival of traditional Roman religious practices. He sought to restore the worship of the Roman gods and reduce the influence of Christianity, which had been the official religion of the empire since Constantine’s reign. Julian's policies included the reopening of pagan temples, the reinstitution of sacrifices, and attempts to marginalize Christian leaders and institutions. He also promoted religious tolerance for pagans and other non-Christian groups, though he restricted certain privileges that Christians had previously enjoyed.

Julian's religious reforms were met with mixed reactions. While some pagans welcomed his efforts, Christianity had already taken deep root in the Roman Empire, and many Christian leaders opposed his policies. Despite his attempts to revive paganism, Julian’s reforms were largely unsuccessful in reversing the Christianization of the empire, and his religious policies earned him the lasting title of "Apostate" from Christian historians.

In addition to his religious reforms, Julian was also a philosopher and intellectual. He wrote extensively on philosophy, religion, and governance, and his works reflect his deep commitment to Hellenistic culture and Neoplatonism. He envisioned a revival of classical Roman virtues and believed that pagan philosophy and religion could provide a moral and intellectual foundation for the empire.

Julian’s reign was cut short by his death in 363 CE during a military campaign against the Sassanid Persian Empire. He had embarked on an ambitious invasion of Persia, hoping to achieve military glory and expand Roman influence in the East. However, the campaign ended in failure, and Julian was mortally wounded during a battle near the city of Ctesiphon. His death marked the end of his brief attempt to restore paganism, and his successor, Jovian, quickly reversed his policies, restoring Christianity as the dominant religion.

Julian the Apostate is remembered as a complex and controversial figure in Roman history. His efforts to restore paganism in a Christianizing empire and his intellectual contributions as a philosopher have left a lasting legacy. However, his failure to halt the advance of Christianity meant that the Roman Empire continued on its path toward becoming a predominantly Christian state.