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 claims to have information that _____ is behind the plot to kill him.

2. Julian relies on his financial adviser to advise him on how to deal with shortages caused by the famine. This adviser's name is:

3. Constantius's will names this person as his successor.

4. After Oribasius reports the Oracle's prediction to Julian, Julian instructs Oribasius:

5. In the cities he visits en route to Persia, Julian attempts to get people to perform:

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Julian really feel about religion at the time of his ascension to the position of Augustus?

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. Priscus, for one, takes a different viewpoint about Julian's popularity and his claims that he is beloved by the army and the people of Rome. What does Priscus say to Libanius about Julian's public image at the time of his ascension to Augustus?

5. 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?

6. Describe the scene of the battle near Ctesiphon the next day. What does Julian do during the battle? What does he do immediately after the battle?

7. When Julian's army and the general populace begin calling for Julian to become Augustus, he seems unsure how to react. Do you think he wants to become Augustus or not? Why does he seem to act so coy about the people's call?

8. Shortly after the battle of Ctesiphon, Julian is wounded in another battle when he is pierced in the side by a spear. Describe the incident and tell what the outcome is.

9. How does Julian react when the signs and messages from the deities are not what he wants to hear?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss some of the issue of religious conflict that are explored in this book as Julian shifts from religious ambivalence (doubt, lack of faith) to attraction and commitment to Hellenism. Explain why Julian's religious sensibilities are so important and what effect religion has on his life and career.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,370 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample