When Gallus was twenty-five years old, disturbances in his dominions induced Constantius to release him, and even to place him as governor over part of the country. The cousins, therefore, met, and took a solemn oath, never to do anything to injure each other; and then Gallus was settled at Antioch, to rule over the neighbouring provinces. Gallus was not unmindful of his brother, but also obtained liberty for him. Julian, now nineteen years of age, having been so long restricted in his choice of society, eagerly sought that of learned men, the greater part of whom were unfortunately Pagans; to whose ideas of religion he willingly listened, until he became convinced that Paganism was a better religion than Christianity, which he accordingly renounced; and from that time, became a devout and sincere worshipper of the gods of Rome and Athens. On the death of Constantius, a.d. 361, Julian became Emperor of Rome, and he proved a just and wise ruler. As it was his great wish entirely to destroy the Christian religion, Julian gave great encouragement to its enemies the Jews; allowing them the free exercise of their religion, and treating them with the greatest kindness. This emboldened the Jews to destroy the churches of the Christians, and commit other acts of violence against them—an example followed by their brethren in Egypt, who destroyed the finest churches in Alexandria. Julian issued a law establishing Paganism as the religion of his empire; but he did not put to death those who held contrary opinions.
He hated the Christians, and would not allow them to have any power in the State; he forbade them to teach any sort of science in the public schools; he fined and banished their clergy; and also fined all who refused to offer sacrifices to the Pagan deities. But nothing he could do had any effect upon the Christians, who held firm to the true faith.
The Emperor then determined to rebuild the temple, and settle a powerful colony of Jews in Judæa; where they would be always ready to join in any measure against the Christians. The destruction and desolation of the temple having been foretold by Jesus Christ, Julian thought, that by rebuilding it, and re-establishing in it the ancient worship, he should shake the faith of mankind as to the truth of Christianity.
Great preparations were made for the work; but when the workmen began to clear out the foundations, they were hindered by balls of fire which broke out, scorching and burning the unfortunate people. Some writers doubt the truth of this account; but though we cannot be quite sure, there is great reason to believe that it really did happen. We may well believe that the Almighty worked this miracle, to prove the truth of prophecy; and to show that the Christians were now his chosen people, instead of the Jews, who had filled up the measure of their iniquities by crucifying the Saviour of mankind. At any rate, Julian gave up the attempt to rebuild the temple. Julian was killed in battle a.d. 363, and was succeeded by Christian Emperors. Christianity was then re-established as the national religion, although both Pagans and Jews were allowed to practise their own forms of worship in peace, until the close of the fourth century, when the Emperor Theodosius put an end to Paganism in the Roman Empire: sacrifices to the heathen deities were absolutely forbidden; and all the heathen temples were destroyed, or shut up.
Chapter IV.—FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES.
By the close of the fourth century, the Roman Empire was very considerably weakened and diminished, by the attacks of barbarian tribes on all sides.
On the death of the Emperor Theodosius, a.d. 395, all that remained of the once Roman Empire was finally divided between his two young sons: Arcadius becoming Emperor of the East, with Constantinople for his capital; Honorius Emperor of the West, with the ancient capital of Rome.
The Jews of the Eastern Empire, emboldened by the mild treatment they had experienced, now insulted the Christians. Whilst celebrating the Feast of Purim, in remembrance of their deliverance from the wicked plots of Haman, instead of hanging a figure of Haman on a gibbet, and burning it, according to custom; the Jews, in mockery of the Christians, nailed the figure to a cross, and burnt that. This, of course, greatly displeased and shocked the Christians; and the magistrates caused the houses, as well as the synagogues of the Jews, to be burnt. Laws were now made, forbidding the Jews to insult the established religion; and also forbidding the Christians to destroy the synagogues of the Jews: but these unhappy people were still subject to great cruelty and injustice from the zeal of the Christians, and the Emperor was obliged to make fresh laws, for their protection from those, who would have done well to copy the example of Him, Whose followers they professed to be.