History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2

Edward Gibbon · Written 1782; revised 1845 (for the later edition context of the modern title page)

passage 355 of 558 · Chapter XVI: Conduct Towards The Christians, From Nero To > Chapter XXIII: Reign Of Julian.—Part I. (10/10)

of Julian for a religion which oppressed the freedom of his mind, and compelled him to hold a conduct repugnant to the noblest attributes of human nature, sincerity and courage.

27 (return) [ Libanius, Orat. Parent. c. x. p. 233, 234. Gallus had some reason to suspect the secret apostasy of his brother; and in a letter, which may be received as genuine, he exhorts Julian to adhere to the religion of their ancestors; an argument which, as it should seem, was not yet perfectly ripe. See Julian, Op. p. 454, and Hist. de Jovien tom ii. p. 141.]

28 (return) [ Gregory, (iii. p. 50,) with inhuman zeal, censures Constantius for paring the infant apostate. His French translator (p. 265) cautiously observes, that such expressions must not be prises à la lettre.]

29 (return) [ Libanius, Orat. Parental. c ix. p. 233.]

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History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2 · Edward Gibbon · 1782–1845