Julian II

Julian II, often known as Julian the Apostate, ruled as Roman Emperor from 361 to 363 CE. His short but impactful reign is remembered for his attempt to revive traditional Roman religion in an empire increasingly dominated by Christianity, as well as his military campaigns and intellectual pursuits.

Born in 331 CE, Julian was a nephew of Constantine the Great. After surviving a family purge following Constantine's death, he was educated in the Greek classics and philosophy, which deeply influenced his character and later policies. In 355, Julian was appointed Caesar by his cousin, Emperor Constantius II, to govern the western provinces. Despite limited experience, Julian proved to be an effective leader, achieving notable victories against Germanic tribes, particularly during his campaigns along the Rhine.

In 361, Julian was proclaimed emperor by his troops in a revolt against Constantius II. However, Constantius died before the conflict escalated, allowing Julian to ascend the throne without bloodshed. As emperor, Julian launched a vigorous campaign to restore pagan traditions, earning him the epithet "Apostate" from Christian historians. He sought to revive Greco-Roman polytheism, promoting rituals and constructing temples, while restricting privileges granted to Christians. Julian envisioned a pluralistic empire rooted in classical traditions, but his efforts alienated much of his Christian populace and clergy.

Julian was also a philosopher and writer, producing works on theology and governance that reflected his Neoplatonic beliefs. Militarily, he sought to secure Rome’s eastern frontier. In 363, he launched an ambitious campaign against the Sassanid Empire but died in battle near Ctesiphon under unclear circumstances, leaving the campaign and his vision for the empire unfulfilled.

Despite his brief reign, Julian remains a fascinating figure: a philosopher-emperor, military leader, and controversial reformer whose legacy evokes debates about religion, governance, and cultural identity in late antiquity.

Soldi of Julian II are expensive. There are probably three contributing factors: 1) Julian II coins are scarce due to his short reign, 2) Julian is a very interesting historical figure as the last pagan emperor, and 3) the portraiture is attractive and unique compared to all of the similar-looking soldi from other 4th and 5th century rulers. It is worth paying up for a high-quality example of this somewhat iconic type. Julian's beard is the arresting feature on these coins and he appears elegantly barbed here. Both obverse and reverse are perfectly centered and struck; on the reverse, note the detail on the soldier and the prisoner. Orange-red toning lends wonderful eye appeal to this example.