http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_the_Apostate
The last non-christian emperor and the last ruling decendent of constantine, Julian tried ( with varying degrees of success) to reverse christianities advane, abolishing christian edicts and restoring pagins to senior offices, as well as attempting to restore romes borders. He actually had initqal success in both respects, and managed to appease many people and roman generals ( not to mention the jews by making plans to rebuild the temple of solomon-an act for which he is muched praised.)
He was a scholer, statesmen and military commander, crushing the alamanii and their allies in several battles that saw many germaic tribes reassurt their loyalty to Rome. He then focused his attention on the biggest problem: Sassanid Parthia. He achieved inital success, winning a battle at ctistophon ( the persian capital) and recapturing cities along the euphrates. But then....he was mortally injured in an indecisive engagement and soon after died-possibly his death was aided by his christian officers. Without his leadership, the roman army fell back in dissaray and was forced to surrender much roman land in the east and christianity once again became the state religion.
Julian ruled for only 361-363 AD.
Yet......what if he wasnt killed? could he have bought the eastern campaign to a satisfactory conclusuion, reassurting roman dominence in the east? Could he then continue his reforms, returing paganism to the offical religion and reversing constantines reforms. Could he have temporerily stabalised the empire? its doubtful the empire would have still survived much longer then OTL, but his rteforms may have huge butterflies and repuccusions for us today.
But what do you think the results of a longer reign would be?
The last non-christian emperor and the last ruling decendent of constantine, Julian tried ( with varying degrees of success) to reverse christianities advane, abolishing christian edicts and restoring pagins to senior offices, as well as attempting to restore romes borders. He actually had initqal success in both respects, and managed to appease many people and roman generals ( not to mention the jews by making plans to rebuild the temple of solomon-an act for which he is muched praised.)
He was a scholer, statesmen and military commander, crushing the alamanii and their allies in several battles that saw many germaic tribes reassurt their loyalty to Rome. He then focused his attention on the biggest problem: Sassanid Parthia. He achieved inital success, winning a battle at ctistophon ( the persian capital) and recapturing cities along the euphrates. But then....he was mortally injured in an indecisive engagement and soon after died-possibly his death was aided by his christian officers. Without his leadership, the roman army fell back in dissaray and was forced to surrender much roman land in the east and christianity once again became the state religion.
Julian ruled for only 361-363 AD.
Yet......what if he wasnt killed? could he have bought the eastern campaign to a satisfactory conclusuion, reassurting roman dominence in the east? Could he then continue his reforms, returing paganism to the offical religion and reversing constantines reforms. Could he have temporerily stabalised the empire? its doubtful the empire would have still survived much longer then OTL, but his rteforms may have huge butterflies and repuccusions for us today.
But what do you think the results of a longer reign would be?