Abstract
The Roman emperor Julian is famously remembered for being Rome’s last pagan emperor and he has been vilified for his dislike of Christianity. Sufficient analysis of Julian’s own perspective reveals a complex individual who does not conform with the simplified caricature of Julian “the Apostate” who was focused on assailing Christianity. His aversion to the Christians was mainly motivated by the fact that they refused to participate in the state cult. This thesis will explore the relationship between properly honoring the gods and state health, its origins, and why it was essential to sacrifice to the gods. It will also focus on why Julian believed that Greco-Roman harmony in the Roman empire was broken, why it was so important for him to act in accordance with the ways of the past, and why he believed he was the only one that could once again restore this balance.