Rome offers up a very historical remembrance for the Emperor Flavius Claudius Julianus. He was born in the year of 331 and died in 363 BCE.
Now interesting thing about Flavius….
We all know how Constantine basically sold the soul of Rome when converting the empire over to Christianity, yes? Before then, Rome had a Freedom of Religion type deal. Their modo—everyone believe in their own Gods and Goddesses, and well, just get along. And we all know what Freedom of Religion is….we supposedly have it now. Only now a days, most people scream they want it, but are only tolerant if YOU freely believe in THEIR religion lol. Somewhere in history, I think we lost the point.
Anyway, before Constantine died, Roman General Flavius raised his legions and refused to obey Constantine’s dictates, nor convert to anything that wasn’t Pagan. Flavius’ stand was so backed by the people, that he was made the new Emperor, and Rome would have been faced with an ugly Civil War IF Constantine had not died.
His rejection of Christianity in favour of Neoplatonic paganism caused him to be called Julian the Apostate–Source Wikipedia
Flavius’ rule may have been brief but it was certainly an interesting one. Although rumors could be just gossip, they filled his short reign with colorful tongues.
Some sources claim that he believed himself to be the reincarnation of Alexander the Great, while other sources claim that he sprinkled blood on all the food so that Christians would not eat it—hoping to starve them all to death.
One fact remains, though….and that’s proved by the way he died. He certainly had no fear. When he passed, it was during a battle with Persia, and history claims that the man was so confident and convinced of his own victory, that he refused to wear any armor.
SO on this day in Roman history, and now today thanks to the Ancient Calendar, we remember Flavius Claudius Julianus of Rome. Thank you Flavius, for attempting to bring back what we lost…and are still struggling to hold onto.
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