The Forgotten Reign of the Emperor Jovian (363-364)

Drijvers has given us the definitive guide to Jovian's reign, an important survey of its Syriac reception, and a crucial reinterpretation of Jovian's place with the roster of late Roman emperors. * Alan J. Ross, Histos *
Drijvers has given us the definitive guide to Jovian's reign, an important survey of its Syriac reception, and a crucial reinterpretation of Jovian's place with the roster of late Roman emperors. * ALAN J. ROSS, Histos *
“Jovian was emperor so briefly that one can easily miss the significance of his reign. Drijvers brings out that importance with a penetrating account of neglected sources.” - Michael Kulikowski, Pennsylvania State University
“Jovian became emperor in 363 at a pivot point in Roman history: Would the empire move in the direction of Christianity or 'paganism'? Would it recover from defeat at the hands of the Sasanian Persians or falter and decline? Jovian's deft handling of the crises his empire faced steadied the ship of state for the rest of the fourth century. Drijvers has now revealed just how Jovian managed and in so doing became a legendary figure in antiquity. Thanks to this marvelous new book, he is finally given his due in the modern world as well.” - Noel Lenski, Yale University
With his enriching monograph, Drijvers has filled a gap in our knowledge of the imperial history of the fourth century while at the same time offering the basis for future, even deeper studies into the less-explored aspects of Jovian's reign via 'new'--or rather rediscovered--sources. * Karl Heiner Dahm, Fides et Historia *