ΩΣ ΆΡΧΙΕΡΕΆ: LA ‘CHIESA PAGANA’ DI GIULIANO NEL CONTESTO DELLA POLITICA RELIGIOSA IMPERIALE DI III E IV SECOLO

Abstract

Julian's 'pastoral epistles' portray a hierarchical body with at its apex the emperor as pontifex maximus. Under him stood the regional high priests entitled to appoint local priests. It is generally assumed that he attempted the creation of a Hellenic church, modelled on the Christian one and deeply influenced by Neoplatonic thought. Instead his reform has to be understood not as a mockery of Christian priesthood but in the context of a long duration process having its climax in the third and fourth century. Julian's forerunners are Aurelian and Maximinus Daia, not the Christian bishops.