361–363

Julian the Apostate and the Attempt to Revive Paganism

Julian had survived the massacre of his relatives and received a Christian upbringing. But in Athens, where he met Basil of Caesarea, he turned to Hellenic religion. After the death of Constantius II he became sole emperor in 361.

He restored property to the temples and created a pagan hierarchy modeled on the church, requiring charity of the priests. He wrote "Against the Galileans" and attempted to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple. In 362 he banned Christians from teaching classical literature. In the view of one book, this was the heaviest blow to the church of his entire reign.

He recalled all exiled bishops, including Athanasius, who was exiled again under him. He hoped the warring parties would weaken each other. But faced with the pagan threat, they unexpectedly reconciled.

Julian died in 363 on a campaign against Persia. With his death paganism ceased to be a serious political force.