Julian II The Apostate - Double Maiorina Bull Coin

RIC VIII Constantinople 162

360-363 AD

Obverse: Pearl diademed draped cuirassed bust right - Inscription; DN FL CL IVLI-ANVS PF AVG

Reverse: Bull standing right, two stars above. Exergue: dot CONSPB palm branch - Inscription; SECVRITAS REIPVB

Weight - 5.58grams

Dimensions - 23.4mm x 24.5mm x 2.1mm

Julian the Apostate

Julian was a fascinating historical figure and is best known as the last polytheist emperor of the Roman Empire. He was also a talented philosopher, intellectual and military leader.

Julian was a member of the Constantine family and his hard experiences with his Christian relatives almost certainly played a decisive role in his decision to abandon Christianity as a young man. Most of the male members on his side of the family were massacred by his cousin Constantius II after the death of Constantine I in AD 337. Julian only survived this purge because he was a young child at the time. The bloody family dynamics can get rather confusing so I compiled the following family tree to help keep everything straight.