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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Julian describes the people of Gaul as all of these except:

2. St. Mammas is:

3. After his wife's death, Julian takes a vow:

4. Helena's last conversation with Julian before her death concerns:

5. Which of the two brothers find favor with Constantius?

Short Essay Questions

1. Julian states that his 47 days in Athens are the happiest days of his life. Why is Julian happy during his stay in Athens?

2. Gallus and his wife, Constantia, appear to be cut from the same cloth. What do you learn about them and their tastes and habits?

3. The seeds of Julian's religious conflict are also sown in chapter two. What memories indicate that Julian experiences doubts, questions and great interest in things metaphysical as a youngster?

4. Who is Sosipatra and what effect does she have on Julian's life?

5. Julian often claims that he dislikes the ritual, etiquette and intrigue of the royal court, that he does not seek to acquire rank or power, and that he longs only to become a scholar. Do you think this is true? Give evidence for your answer/

6. What happens to Julian when he returns to Rome? What do you think drives Constantius to do what he does to Julian?

7. Julian's first meeting with Constantius gives him a taste of the power and might of royalty. How does he react to this taste of power?

8. What do Basil and Gregory represent to Julian?

9. Julian marries Helena in 355. What is their relationship like? Why do you think the relationship is as it is?

10. Julian insists that his brother is led astray by Constantia. Do you think this is true? What evidence can you cite to support your answer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the evolution of Julian's feelings about Christianity. Why do you think his attitude changes and becomes so negative? Is there anything else going on within him or around him that would influence him to become anti-Christian?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the two brothers, Julian and Gallus, as boys, as young men and as Caesars. How are their ways of dealing with the world and with other people different/similar? What do you learn about their goals, desires, beliefs and principles? How do the two brothers change over time?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the incident in which Julian's men hold a lottery to divide up the women of Maiozamalcha, Julian looks for a child to save, but he ends up selecting a deaf-mute boy, who remains faithful to Julian until his death. Explain the significance of this incident. What does the lottery reveal about warfare during Roman times? What do Julian's actions reveal about him? How do his men react? How does this incident contribute to the rising action of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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