[CHAPTER XVII.]

JULIAN THE APOSTATE.

The Devotion of Constantine to Christianity.—​Constantius and the Barbarians.—​Conspiracy of Magnentius.—​The Decisive Battle.—​Decay of Rome.—​Fearful Retribution.—​Noble Sentiments of the Bishop of Alexandria.—​Death of Constantius.—​Gallus and Julian.—​Julian enthroned.—​His Apostasy.—​His Warfare against Christianity.—​Unavailing Attempt to rebuild Jerusalem.—​Persecution.—​His Expedition to the East, and Painful Death.

[CHAPTER XVIII.]

THE IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS OF JULIAN.

Anecdote.—​Accession of Jovian.—​His Character.—​Christianity reinstated.—​Death of Jovian.—​Recall of Athanasius.—​Wide Condemnation of Arianism.—​Heroism of Jovian.—​Valentinian and Valens.—​Valentinian enthroned.—​Valens in the East.—​Barbarian Irruptions.—​Reign of Theodosius.—​Aspect of the Barbarians.—​Rome captured by Alaric.—​Character of Alaric.—​His Death and Burial.—​Remarkable Statement of Adolphus.—​Attila the Hun.—​Valentinian III.—​Acadius.—​Eloquence of Chrysostom.—​His Banishment and Death.—​Rise of Monasticism.

[CHAPTER XIX.]

THE FIFTH CENTURY.

Christianity the only Possible Religion.—​Adventures of Placidia.—​Her Marriage with Adolphus the Goth.—​Scenes of Violence and Crime.—​Attila the Hun.—​Nuptials of Idaho.—​Eudoxia and her Fate.—​Triumph of Odoacer the Goth.—​Character of the Roman Nobles.—​Conquests of Theodoric.—​John Chrysostom.—​The Origin of Monasticism.—​Augustine.—​His Dissipation, Conversion, and Christian Career.

[CHAPTER XX.]