Julian was the son of Constantius Gallus and made Caesar by his own
father's murderer, Constantius II. Constantius then assigned him an army and
sent to suppress yet another German invasion. Upon the successful completion of
this task, however, his own soldiers promoted him to the rank of Augustus.
Chafing still from his father's fate he was well-prepared to meet Constantius in
battle. But the battle was never meant to be because Constantius died of an
illness en route and he was able to rule uncontested. Reversing the growing
momentum of Christianity within the empire, Julian attempted to bring back the
old pagan gods and its rituals. Again, it can be suspected that this was done as
much out of personal conviction as to his efforts in countering the legacy of
the Constantines who decimated his family. Taking his army to deal with a new
round of Persian invasions, however, left him little time to dwell on
eradicating Christianity. He died in 363 from a javelin wound fighting the
Persians.
Obv-DNIVLIAN VSNOBC Bare draped cuirassed bust right.
Rev-SPESREIPVBLICE Spes standing left holding globe.
RIC 81
Obv-DN FL CL IVLI-ANVS PF AVG Helmeted bust left with spear and shield.
Rev-VOT X MVLT XX Legend in four lines within wreath. HERACLA in ex.
Obv-DN CL IVLI-ANUS NOB C Bare, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev-FEL TEMP REPARATIO Soldier spearing a fallen horseman.
Obv-DN IVLIAN-VS NOB CAES Bare draped cuirassed bust right.
Rev-SPES REIPVBLICE Spes standing left holding globe. Star in left field. SMTS in ex.