ON THE UNEDUCATED CYNICS: A critical view of the philosophy of the Cynics and a graphic presentation of the followers of this movement during the author’s time.

SYMPOSIUM OR KRONIA: Romulus invites the gods and the Caesars to a symposium to celebrate the Kronia. The entrance of the emperors, from Julius Caesar to Constantine, is wittily commented on by Silenus. It showcases the political and religious beliefs of Julian.

ON THE SUN KING TO SALUSTIUS: Julian, as a fervent follower of the Sun Mithras, praises the patron god of the Eternal City for his feast day, December 25th. A characteristic example of religious lyricism.

Julian was born in Constantinople in 331 AD. He studied in his hometown, in Nicomedia, and in Athens, embracing the ideas of Neoplatonism. In the short period during which he was on the throne of Byzantium (from 361 to 363, when he died after being wounded in a campaign against the Persians), his policies in the field of religion—policies owed to his worship of ancient letters and his attraction to the mysteries of Eastern doctrines—favored a revival of pagan ideas and practices. This movement perished with him and connected him to the historic epithet "apostate" and to the anathema of Christians.

Among the most interesting and controversial historical figures, Julian expressed his ideas in treatises, speeches, and letters, to receive a more objective assessment long after his time, in the years of the Enlightenment.