Julian

331 – 363 · Generation IV · Emperor (r. 361–363) · Constantinian

Julian (AD 331 – 363). Emperor (r. 361–363). Married Helena around AD 355. 'the Apostate'; nephew of Constantine I. A philosopher and author in Greek, he was one of the few of his house to survive the purges of Constantius II’s reign; his father was executed when he was a child, and he grew up under the emperor’s watchful eye, educated in the Greek east. Sent to govern Gaul as Caesar, he threw back Germanic raids across the Rhine and revived the provinces’ prosperity, and in 360 his soldiers proclaimed him emperor at Paris. Civil war was averted only by Constantius’s death. As sole ruler he pared down the bureaucracy, worked to restore the old religion, and barred Christians from teaching the classics. His great Persian campaign won a battle outside Ctesiphon but foundered on supply; retreating under constant harassment, he was mortally wounded at Samarra.

One of 8 people of Constantinian (246–366) in this archive. The house that founded Constantinople and ruled from it.

Line of descent: Constantius I → Julius Constantius → Julian.

Parents

Julius Constantius (283 – 337)
Basilina (283 – 331)

Partners

Married Helena (326 – 360) in 355

Life

331 — Born
355 — Married Helena
363 — Died