View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Julian describes Christianity as:

2. In Section XX, in order to engage the Persians, the Roman troops have to cross:

3. Faustina gives birth to:

4. When Julian officially becomes Augustus, one of his first actions is to:

5. Priscus says that the omens for Julian personally are:

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Julian's lifestyle after he becomes Augustus.

2. What happens during the year of the famine in Antioch? Who is responsible for the famine? Who is blamed?

3. What happens when Julian's army encounters the Persian army near Ctesiphon? What orders does Julian give? How does he act in front of the troops? What do you think is actually going on in his mind?

4. Julian may have a sense that he is becoming drunk with power and losing touch with real people and real issues. Describe the incident at the baths that illustrates his awareness.

5. After Constantius dies and his will is read, Julian's position as Augustus is solidified and validated. How? What is the first thing Julian does to demonstrate his power?

6. Julian travels overland to Antioch stopping in various towns along the way. What reason does he give for the journey and what does Julian hope to accomplish by visiting the towns en route?

7. Julian has grown more and more enamored with belief in the Hellenistic gods and more distant from Christianity. His dislike of Christian holidays is well known. Why does he publicly celebrate Epiphany?

8. After several months as Augustus, Julian's temperament changes, according to Priscus. How does Julian change and why do you think this change occurs?

9. How does Julian deal with the famine in Antioch?

10. Julian claims to be tolerant of different religions. Why does he feel compelled to attempt to initiate religious upheaval among the Romans and convert them from Christianity to Hellenism? What makes him think he can succeed at this monumental task?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This is a book of historical fiction. Describe the genre of historical fiction and explain why this story fits into the literary category. Does historical fiction help readers understand and relate to other times and historical figures or does it simply romanticize and falsify history? Use characters and incidents from the story to explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Libanius and Priscus introduce the story of Julian, participate in the action, and exchange correspondence that ends the book. What are the roles of Libanius and Priscus in the story? What narrative or stylistic purposes does it serve to have their letters and their recollections about Julian woven into the story? How do you reconcile their memories with his? Do you think they are sympathetic to Julian or not? Why or why not? How would you describe the literary purpose of these men with respect to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Select a minor character from the story of Julian and discuss this character's role in the overall story. Explain how this character is developed throughout the story and what his/her purpose is from a literary standpoint.as well as with respect to advancing the plot and revealing the main character, Julian.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,228 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample