Description
The Forgotten Reign of the Emperor Jovian (363-364): History and Fiction offers a new assessment of the Roman emperor's brief rule. A former imperial bodyguard, Jovian reinvigorated the Roman Empire militarily, administratively, and religiously. More than an imperial footnote, the years 363-364 restored the Roman empire after the failed reign of Julian. Jovian returned to the policies of Constantius II and Constantine the Great and his political legacy continued to endure with his successors Valentinian I and Valens, especially in the realm of religion. Jan Willem Drijvers' newest edition tracks the intricacies of Jovian's election, offers a novel evaluation of his peace agreement with Shapur II, and examines Jovian's self-representation.For an emperor who ruled only eight months, Jovian had an unexpected and surprising afterlife. In the rarely studied and largely unknown historical fiction piece The Julian Romance, Jovian is presented as the ideal Christian emperor and a new Constantine. In comparison with other sources, the Syriac Romance also offers a surprising and different perspective on his personal associations and reign.The Forgotten Reign challenges readers to rethink Jovian's reign and other imperial figures largely forgotten by history. Ultimately, the book reveals the legacy of Jovian's role in Roman-Persian relations and the positioning of Edessa in the late antique world of Christendom.
Table of Contents
List of Map(s) and IllustrationsAbbreviations and ConventionsPrefaceIntroductionPart I History1. Rise to Power2. Retreat and Treaty3. Ruling the Empire3.1 Statues, Inscriptions and Coins3.2 Legislation3.3 Officials3.4 The West4. Religious Policy4.1 Jovian and Athanasius4.2 A Law on Religious Tolerance?5. DeathPart II Fiction6. The Julian Romance7. History of Scholarship8. The Jovian Narrative8.1 Julian and Jovian8.2 Jovian and Arimihr8.3 Jovian and Shapur8.4 Jovian's Election8.5 The Peace Treaty8.6 Anti-Judaism8.7 Edessa8.8 The Nisibis Connection8.9 Jovian: A New Constantine9. Some ConsiderationsEpilogueAppendices1. Chronology and Itinerary of the Retreat2. The Size of Jovian's Army3. The Eusebius Narrative4. Dates in the Jovian Narrative5. Names in the Jovian NarrativePrimary SourcesBibliographyIndex
