Julian, in full Flavius Claudius Julianus, also known as Julian the Apostate c.331-363AD
Roman emperor

Born in Constantinople (Istanbul), he was the youngest son of Constantius, and half-brother of Constantine I, the Great. Only Julian and his elder half-brother Gallus survived a massacre of the Flavians on Constantine's death (AD337). Julian subsequently rejected Christianity, now an established religion. In 355 he became caesar, and married Helena, the sister of the Emperor Constantius II (his cousin). He then served in the army, overthrowing the Alemanni near Strasbourg, and also subduing the Frankish tribes along the Rhine. He endeared himself to the soldiers by his personal courage, his success in war, and the severe simplicity of his life. In 360 the jealous emperor ordered him to serve against the Persians, but his soldiers protested and proclaimed him Augustus. He took his army to Constantinople, and declared himself a pagan. His cousin died in 361 and as emperor, Julian embarked on public reform, tolerating Christians and Jews while restoring the old religion. He spent 362-363 at Antioch, and became unpopular by increasing the price of corn in order to prevent a threatened famine. In 363 he invaded Persia (Iran), but was forced to retreat and was killed. His extant writings are a series of Epistles, nine Orations, Caesares, satires on past Caesars, and the Misopogon, a satire on the people of Antioch. His chief work, Kata Christianon, is lost.