Description
Book SynopsisThe Forgotten Reign of the Emperor Jovian offers a new assessment of the Roman Emperor's brief but impactful rule. Jan Willem Drijvers tracks the intricacies of Jovian's election, offers a novel evaluation of his peace agreement with Shapur II, and examines Jovian's self-representation.
Trade ReviewDrijvers has given us the definitive guide to Jovian's reign, an important survey of its Syriac reception, and a crucial reinterpretation of Jovian's place with the roster of late Roman emperors. * Alan J. Ross, Histos *
Drijvers has given us the definitive guide to Jovian's reign, an important survey of its Syriac reception, and a crucial reinterpretation of Jovian's place with the roster of late Roman emperors. * ALAN J. ROSS, Histos *
<"Jovian was emperor so briefly that one can easily miss the significance of his reign. Drijvers brings out that importance with a penetrating account of neglected sources.>" - Michael Kulikowski, Pennsylvania State University
<"Jovian became emperor in 363 at a pivot point in Roman history: Would the empire move in the direction of Christianity or 'paganism'? Would it recover from defeat at the hands of the Sasanian Persians or falter and decline? Jovian's deft handling of the crises his empire faced steadied the ship of state for the rest of the fourth century. Drijvers has now revealed just how Jovian managed and in so doing became a legendary figure in antiquity. Thanks to this marvelous new book, he is finally given his due in the modern world as well.>" - Noel Lenski, Yale University
Table of ContentsList of Map(s) and Illustrations Abbreviations and Conventions Preface Introduction Part I History 1. Rise to Power 2. Retreat and Treaty 3. Ruling the Empire 3.1 Statues, Inscriptions and Coins 3.2 Legislation 3.3 Officials 3.4 The West 4. Religious Policy 4.1 Jovian and Athanasius 4.2 A Law on Religious Tolerance? 5. Death Part II Fiction 6. The Julian Romance 7. History of Scholarship 8. The Jovian Narrative 8.1 Julian and Jovian 8.2 Jovian and Arimihr 8.3 Jovian and Shapur 8.4 Jovian's Election 8.5 The Peace Treaty 8.6 Anti-Judaism 8.7 Edessa 8.8 The Nisibis Connection 8.9 Jovian: A New Constantine 9. Some Considerations Epilogue Appendices 1. Chronology and Itinerary of the Retreat 2. The Size of Jovian's Army 3. The Eusebius Narrative 4. Dates in the Jovian Narrative 5. Names in the Jovian Narrative Primary Sources Bibliography Index
