# Julian the Apostate — Plays character guide

> Julian the Apostate in Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Julian the Apostate, Julian, Julian Soldiers

**First appearance:** 0008-gallicanus

## Snapshot

The Apostate emperor whose hostility to Christians makes him the shadow behind Gallicanus's trials and the test of every convert's resolve.

## Who they are

Julian the Apostate represents the return of pagan power after Christian hope, the ruler whose edicts turn faith into a matter of life and death for Gallicanus and his household. His tension is ideological: he cannot leave belief alone, and his persecution forces characters to decide whether their conversion was convenience or conviction. He matters to the early arc because he raises the cost of discipleship, making the play's miracles and martyrdoms feel like answers to a real threat rather than pious decoration.

## In the story

### [Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/characters)

Listed as a character in Part II.

### [Characters in Part II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/characters-in-part-ii)

Listed as a character in Part II.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-i)

Emperor who initiates persecution of Christians, citing their liberty as the cause of unrest.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-ii)

Commands the soldiers to return and compel Gallicanus to quit the realm or sacrifice to the gods.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-iv)

Julian receives news of Gallicanus's execution and orders John and Paul brought before him.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-v)

Confronts John and Paul, offering them high office if they renounce their faith.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-vi)

Issues the order for John and Paul to be compelled to sacrifice or be secretly executed.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-vii)

Referenced as the emperor who commands the idolatrous test.

### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-viii)

Referenced as the wicked emperor whose commands Terentianus obeyed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/characters/julian
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/characters