The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 05 (of 11)

Set against the glittering yet decaying backdrop of late‑antique Rome, the drama opens with a newly restored emperor confronting a world where ancient marble temples stand beside burgeoning Christian churches. Ibsen paints the city’s grandeur and its underlying tensions with vivid scene‑painting, inviting listeners to feel the weight of history pressing upon every stone.

At the heart of the story is Julian, a ruler whose love of classical culture collides with the rising tide of Christianity. His fierce intellect and yearning for a pagan revival set the stage for fierce debates, personal doubts, and political maneuvering. As he grapples with questions of faith, power, and identity, the play explores the timeless clash between tradition and change, offering a richly layered portrait of a man caught between two worlds.