This work seeks to examine the life and thought of Julian, emperor of Rome from 361-363 AD. Its particular thesis is that an understanding of most of Julian's political, philosophical, religious and military life that is comprehensive and unified can be maintained. This understanding is based on the premise that Julian's character, decisions and actions are ultimately and in the deepest sense consistent. It argues that Julian has assimilated the theology and philosophy of Neoplatonic thought so comprehensively that it permeates his entire career by the time he becomes Emperor. He sees this particular belief system as essential to the well being of the empire and the 'salvation' of the individual. All valid philosophies and religions are but the means of providing the education necessary for man to achieve what is right. Therefore, Julian feels it necessary to show the unity of religion and philosophy as vehicles for one underlying truth. The first section of this thesis will attempt to show this. The second section will aim to show how the variety of philosophical thought- Platonic, Aristotelian and others- is also essentially one. Christianity is the main enemy of this truth because it has begun to arrogate Hellenistic philosophy to itself and thus denies its unity with pagan religious belief. Section three is designed to show the methods by which Julian seeks to drive a wedge between Christianity and philosophy and indeed classical literature in general. This literature is seen as another important means of coming to a knowledge of reality and Neo-Platonic salvation. As such it too must be separated from the Christian way and be restored as the preserve of the pagan world. Even Hellenistic philosophies which have fallen from their true purpose must be corrected; Cynicism is of this sort. Political power is employed to promote these ends; the law, especially Julian's rescript against Christian teachers, is used to this effect.1 The coinage of the Empire is prominently used as one of a number of methods to propagandise Julianic thought. Section four is devoted to a discussion of this. Economic reforms, reforms of financial abuse, moral reforms are all designed to promote the values and tenets of the Neo-Platonist world view. Current views of Julian are compared and analysed in Section five and then Julian's life as a whole is examined in the light of his thought in the sixth Section. Since actions tend to be dictated by thought and belief rather than the reverse this seems more appropriate than the traditional method of examining Julian's life before his world view. Julian's military activity, specifically his final campaign against Persia, is also examined in this light. The death and ultimate failure of Julian is considered to be the ultimate result of his convictions; the demise of his system of thought the result of his unbending devotion to it.