The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2

In this vivid oration the emperor‑philosopher Julian turns his sharp wit toward a new breed of Cynics who, in his eyes, have turned the austere teachings of Diogenes into a hollow performance. He likens their outward symbols—tattered cloaks, staffs, wild hair—to the empty show of certain mendicant monks, arguing that both groups betray the true spirit of self‑sufficiency and reverence for the gods. While defending the authentic virtues of ancient Cynicism, Julian also stresses a wider unity among philosophical schools, insisting that reason, not tradition, must guide the individual.

The volume presents Julian’s speech in its original Greek alongside a careful English translation by Wilmer Cave Wright, allowing listeners to hear the rhythm of the ancient language while following the argument in fluent prose. The bilingual layout brings the texture of a public address from the late Roman world to life, inviting you to experience the emperor’s passionate plea for philosophical integrity and the restoration of true virtue.