Julian Extorts Money from the Christians

At the beginning of his reign the emperor Julian behaved mildly toward everyone, but as he went on he did not keep the same even temper. He was very ready to grant the Christians’ requests whenever they tended in any way to bring the memory of Constantius into disrepute. But where that motive was missing, he made no effort to hide the bitter feelings he held toward Christians in general. So he soon ordered that the church of the Novatians at Cyzicus, which Euzoius had completely demolished, be rebuilt, and he laid a very heavy penalty on Eleusius, bishop of that city, if he failed to finish the building at his own expense within two months. [a]

Besides this, he favored the pagan superstitions with the whole weight of his authority. The temples of the pagans were opened, as we have said before. He himself also offered sacrifices in public to Fortune, the goddess of Constantinople, in the cathedral, where her image had been set up.