- Unknown Binding: 503 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown; [1st ed.] edition (1964)
- ASIN: B0006BLZQQ
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 4.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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First Sentence
"Yesterday morning as I was about to enter the lecture hall, I was stopped by a Christian student who asked me in a voice eager with malice, ""Have you heard about the Emperor Theodosius?""" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
"Yesterday morning as I was about to enter the lecture hall, I was stopped by a Christian student who asked me in a voice eager with malice, ""Have you heard about the Emperor Theodosius?""" Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was advised to read this novel in preparation for a course in later Roman history during my final year at university.
Don't let that put you off. along with the Claudius novels this must be one of the best pieces of historical fiction ever. A marvellous read, grounded in excellent research. Gore Vidal clearly did his homework before sitting down to write Julian as his novel provides an excellent introduction to the history of the Roman Empire in the fourth century.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What would the be the prerequisites for a sympathetic novel about Julian the Apostate? A detailed knowledge of the late Roman Empire, a detailed knowledge of early Christianity and a certain antipathy towards that religion. Gore Vidal demonstrates a virtuosity in all three that makes for one of the best reads of the last fifty years. This is, quite simply, a tour-de-force that has few parallels in historical fiction. For those who don't share Vidal's suspicion of organised religion, especially Christians, this novel might prove an uncomfortable experience. For those who like their history warts and all, it is simply brilliant. One of the few works of fiction that takes a serious look at the origins of Christianity and gives a reasoned account of its development, it refuses to even pay lip-service to the unthinking acceptance of Christianity as a religion that sprang fully formed into the world. Nor does he shrink from comparing the morality of two very different religious systems and finding Christianity wanting. It almost makes you wish that Julian had obtained his goal and had, after all, reinstated the ancient philosophy that was tolerant of all beliefs and had little concept of evangilism or heretical thinking.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An easily accessible insight into the conflict between Christianity and the traditional forms of worship in the Roman world. However that does not do the book justice, and makes it sound slightly dull. In fact the book also makes an entertaining novel with a strong storyline, that makes it brilliantly readable, whilst also educational for those people who like that sort of thing!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Before the world took a step backwards towards Christianity
Gore Vidal brings the Roman Empire of the 4th century to life. The best parts of the book are early on when Julian is more of a philosopher than a soldier, and Julian puts up a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Howler
wonderful perspective on decreasingly pagan Rome
This is Vidal's take on Julian the Apostate, in a fictional memoire, who tried to stamp Christianity out of Rome. Read more
Published 13 months ago by rob crawford
Aesthetically and historically superb, but not very exciting
This is the little-known but stirring tale of Flavius Claudius Julianus, who reigned as sole emperor of the Roman world for less than two years in AD 361-363. Read more
Published 18 months ago by T. D. Welsh
Real power
When you are born into greatness, you may be forgiven for exhibiting a sense of destiny or an assumption of purpose. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Philip Spires
The apostate emperor is brought to life by Vidal
Vidal grippingly tells the story of Julian the Apostate, who sought to reinstate paganism following the conversion of the Empire to Christianity. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2009 by Aquinas
Carefully Researched with a Compelling Narrative
Gore Vidal's "Julian" is one of those rare historical novels that is not only meticulously researched but also absorbing. Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by F. S. L'hoir
Dull Dull Dull
I love good historical novels but for me at least this is not one of them. Vidal clearly has great knowledge and I suspect that the history content is accurate and complete. Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2008 by D. W. Miller
Heavy going....
I really struggled with this, taking three weeks (with a weeks break in-between) to read it which is shocking considering I normally read at least a book a week! Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2008 by Femmielala
APOSTATE
The fourth century AD is a period I have never known much about. The first I ever heard about the emperor Julian the Apostate was actually the unflattering caricature by St Gregory... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2005 by DAVID BRYSON
A masterpiece!
JULIAN is a masterpiece of historical writing. It is only fiction in the sense of Gore Vidal filling in essential links between the factual happenings with fictional events. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2001 by Mr Anthony K. Walker/anthonykarl@awalker28.freeserve.co.uk
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