Roman Emperor. He was born in AD 331 and was bought up by the eunuch, Mardonius, and the pagan philosopher, Nicocles. He was later sent to the castle of Macellum in Cappadocia for Christian teaching, but was always determined to restore the Empire to paganism. He was made a state prisoner of the Emperor Constantius II, but the Empress Eusebia gave him permission to visit Athens in AD 355 where he converted to paganism. He was made Caesar in AD 355 and sent to Gaul as a soldier and administrator, and while there he retook Cologne from the occupying Frankish forces. Over the next few years he also fought successful campaigns in Germany, before being asked to take his army to Mesopotamia. During this expedition his army mutinied and proclaimed him Emperor. The Emperor Constantius II died in AD 361 while marching to put down his rebellion. On coming to power he began to worship openly as a pagan, portraying himself as being under the protection of Zeus. He commanded the reopening of pagan temples, revoked the rights of Christians and demanded the repayment of money given to the Church. In AD 362 he went to Antioch to prepare for war with Persia, and while there he wrote books condemning Christianity. In AD 363, after some initial military success, he was fatally wounded by an arrow, and was buried at Tarsus, Turkey.
Roman Emperor. He was born in AD 331 and was bought up by the eunuch, Mardonius, and the pagan philosopher, Nicocles. He was later sent to the castle of Macellum in Cappadocia for Christian teaching, but was always determined to restore the Empire to paganism. He was made a state prisoner of the Emperor Constantius II, but the Empress Eusebia gave him permission to visit Athens in AD 355 where he converted to paganism. He was made Caesar in AD 355 and sent to Gaul as a soldier and administrator, and while there he retook Cologne from the occupying Frankish forces. Over the next few years he also fought successful campaigns in Germany, before being asked to take his army to Mesopotamia. During this expedition his army mutinied and proclaimed him Emperor. The Emperor Constantius II died in AD 361 while marching to put down his rebellion. On coming to power he began to worship openly as a pagan, portraying himself as being under the protection of Zeus. He commanded the reopening of pagan temples, revoked the rights of Christians and demanded the repayment of money given to the Church. In AD 362 he went to Antioch to prepare for war with Persia, and while there he wrote books condemning Christianity. In AD 363, after some initial military success, he was fatally wounded by an arrow, and was buried at Tarsus, Turkey.
Bio by: js
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