Histoire du Bas-Empire. Tome 03

The third volume guides listeners through the turbulent years of Julian’s rule, a time when the Roman Empire teetered between its ancient pagan traditions and the rising tide of Christianity. With a keen eye for paradox, the author paints Julian as both a generous patron and an unforgiving magistrate, whose desire for personal glory often colored his judgments. The narrative weaves together political maneuvering, religious debate, and the emperor’s own literary pursuits, offering a nuanced portrait of a ruler caught between honor and ambition.

Listeners are drawn into the bustling streets of Antioch, where Julian’s first encounter with the city’s elite sets the stage for a series of dramatic confrontations. From the denial of entry to a disgraced officer to public trials of conspirators, the account captures the tension of a court where mercy and cruelty coexist. Interlaced with excerpts from contemporary writers, the volume brings to life the clashes, festivals, and uneasy compromises that defined Julian’s short but striking reign.