The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2, Book 1 · Biography 2
JOVIANVS
The Life of Jovianus the Emperour, who dyed Anno Christi. 363.
JƲlian the Apostate having led the Roman Army into Persia in the winter time, in a battell against the Persians, was wounded with an arrow from an unknowne hand, with which wound, losing his senses, he fell upon his Horse necke, and by his Souldiers was carried into his Tent, where (after meanes used) coming to himselfe againe, and recovering strength, he called for his Horse, and Armes, that he might returne againe into the battaile: but afterwards feeling his force to faile, in extreame pride he tooke his blood in his hands, and holding it up to heaven, he used these words against our Saviour Christ, It sufficeth that thou Christ the Galilean hast Vicisti Galilaee, vicisti.overcome me, for so he was accustomed to call Christ in scorne. By his death there was so great a confusion in the Campe, that they were in danger to be overthrowne by the Persians, and besides they were in much distresse for want of victualls; the Persians also understanding these things, never ceased to molest them with sudden assaults and Alarums; whereupon the chiefe commanders of the Army assembled together to chuse an Emperour to governe them, and after much contention, and diversity of opinions, they all consented to chuse Jovianus, Emperour: He was the sonne of Ʋarronianus, a Noble Hungarian, who leaving the warres to avoid tumults, and troubles, retired himselfe to his possessions in Hungary, there to live in rest and quiet; But Jovianus his sonne, went to the Emperour Constantius's his Court, followed the warres, was valiant, and of a goodly personage, and therefore much esteemed by Julian, who made him the chiefe commander of his ordinary Troops.
Iovianus was of an excellent wit, sound judgment, given to study, well learned, and withall a faithfull Christian, insomuch, as when Iulian commanded that noe Christian should be a Captaine, neither Constancyshould have any Charge, or office in the warrs, Iovianus pleasantly said, that he made greater account of the faith, whereof he made profession, then of any dignity, or honour that he enjoyed, and so he gave up his charge, chusing rather to throw away his military Belt, the ensigne of his honour, then to doe sacrifice, or satifie the wicked edict of the Emperour. Yet afterwards Iulian (when the necessitie of the Persian warrs constrained him) reassumed him into the number of his Captaines: This Iovianus being chosen Emperour, considering that Iulian had drawne the men of warr of his Army to commit Idolatry, and to sacrifice to Devills, he in a publick Oration which he made to them said, That although he might, A Christian resolution.yet he would not, being a Christian, be an Emperour of Infidels, and so he resisted, and absolutely refused the Empire. But all the Army was so well pleased with the election, that they cryed out aloud, saying, wee are all Christians, and for his sake, they that were not so, resolved to become Christians, upon condition that he would accept the Empire, which he then consented to; They all with incredible joy, and gladnesse sware obedience unto him, and gave him the Imperiall ensignes: whereupon he presently ordered, and reinforced the Army: but Sapor King of Persia gathering together the greatest Forces that he could make, did so molest, and inviron them that they were glad to come to an agreement with him, though somewhat to the dishonor of the Romans, but it was the best end that he could make in those straits whereinto Iulian by his pride had brought the Army. Then he marched into Soria; the Christians everie where wonderfully rejoicing at his election, and his first worke was by proclamation Piety.to call home all those Bishops which were exiled for opposing the Arrian Heresie, or on any other unlawfull occasion, whom he restored to their former places, and principally the great Athanasius. He also revoked, and made voide all the prohibitions, and decrees made by Iulian against the Christians, and ordained that they should be admitted to offices, dignities, magistracy, and studie as in the daies of Constantine the great: He caused to be paid to the Churches those rents of corne, and other things that Constantine had given them, and which, by the command of Iulian had beene sequestred. Then he caused the Idol-groves, and Temples to be shut up, and the Pagans wandred about hiding Zeale.themselves here and there: the bloodie and detestable sacrifices used in Julians time, he wholly tooke away. The Bishops of all sects, and opinions posted unto him, hoping everie one of them to finde him according to their owne minds, but he adhering to the Nicaene creed, made them flat answer what Integriry.his judgement, and faith was, and whom he would countenance: Then the Macedonians exhibited to him a supplication, requesting that they which held a dissimilitude, and unlikenesse betweene the father, and the Sonne should be banished the Church, and themselves substituted in their roomes; but he sent them away with these words: I tell you truly, I cannot away with contention, but such as embrace vnity and Peaceable.concord, I both honour and embrace them: when the Emperour had thus appeased the contentions of seditious persons, he went from Antioch to Tarsus, where he buried the corpse of his predecessor: and immediately after he was proclaimed Consul, and so from thence he went to Constantinople: He laid a Godly A good Prince.foundation to his Empire by establishing the Christian faith, giving in all things good signes of a just and vertuous prince, every man conceiving much hope of him: but this and all his Noble resolutions, and other Christian like purposes were interrupted by his immature death, the iniquity of the people not deserving so good a Prince, which happened thus: He coming to a place called Dudastana in the confines of Bithynia, the weather being very cold, they set in his Chamber where he lay, a great pan with kindled char-coales, which coales were wet, and as his attendants were gon to take their rest, his chamber dore being lockt, and he asleepe, the vapour of the fire waxing grosse, and thick, and filling the chamber with smoake, which had no place to evaporate, stopped the Emperours Breath, so that in the morning he was found dead in his bed; In the eighth monethmonth of his raigne, and of his age about fortie. Anno Christi 363. His losse was much bewailed of all good men. He used to wish that he might governe wise men, and that wise men might governe him. He restored the Christian faith in everie part of his Empire: streightly commanding all the Idoll Temples to be shut up, which his predecessor Iulian had opened, and upon great penalties forbad all manner of Gentilitious sacrifices: he called home from banishment that worthy Captaine Ʋalentinian, whom Iulian had banished: He resolved to follow the advice and counsell of Athanasius in matters of faith, and Church government.
For his personage, he was of a goodly presence, both Jovianus his Character.tall and bigg; his gesture grave: his eies gray, and countenance pleasant: an affectionate Lover, and professour he was of the Christian religion: of Indifferent learning himselfe, but a most honorable imbracer thereof in others: very precise and Considerate in choosing of Iudges and Magistrates, and very facile and familiar to his servitours about him.
Collected out of Socrates Scholasticus, Speeds Chronicle, the Imperiall History, and the Booke of Martyrs.