Overview

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.

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9780197600702

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Reviews

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

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 * 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

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

Author Information

Jan Willem Drijvers is Associate Professor of Ancient History at the University of Groningen and the author of Cyril of Jerusalem: Bishop and City and Helena Augusta: The Mother of Constantine the Great and the Legend of Her Finding of the True Cross, among other titles.

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