Julian the Apostate

[OrthodoxDarwinist]

Julian the Apostate is a hero of mine.

[TheBts523]

outstanding!! the voicing, the translating, the music! first-class all the way!

[motherginsling]

This is great, should have discovered It first. Thanks for the great upload!

[spider8345]

does anyone know who wrote this poem? it sounds like the author was a christian since he dislikes Julian's return to the old religion. it's funny how certain people appeal to others based on thier own ideas of morality. Ammianus Marcellinus and Libanius speak highly of Julian. Ammianus especially dislikes Gallus and Constantius, while this author seems to agree with them.  It is very interesting. if anyone knows this author plz let me know. thanx.

[cavafyinenglish]

Spider, I wrote it (in the English version of the Greek poem by Constantine Cavafy). And it's me reading it. Cavafy was Greek Orthodox, but not very committed and had much sympathy with the pagan world. Cavafy satirises both the Christians and Julian in a series of poems.

[Csanad121]

@spider8345 maybe his best friend,who was christian,Caesarius,dont ask I read the book of curtis ford about julian

[MrAugustus88]

Constantius was a cruel autocrat, Julian was a true princeps. Constantius used despicaple creatures like paul the chain and Eusebius who would frame innocent men. Christian and Pagan beliefs are just as stupid. They should have concentrated on crushing the Persians, Scythians and Germans. 121 years after Julians death the western Empire was no more.

[ALBERTONORFY]

@MrAugustus88 you are too generous. The fact is that less than fifty years after Julianus death, Rome, the holy sacred Rome, was sacked by goths. Rome as it was known did not exist any more, at least as the idea, the pivot of the world. And only a decade afte Julian death, Rome was completely and ignominiusly defeated at Adrianople, dying the very Caesar, Valente, in battle. The roman state survived, like a zombi, but aged and in agony. Julian was the last good Augustus.

[ImperialGuard9001]

@MrAugustus88 It was those belifs that keep the Empire great and vital withoud belifs we arent Man we are animals.

[TheBelgianMoneyWolf]

well (pagan) greek and roman ideas form the basis of western sillyvization, i bet the christians didn't see that one coming :p

[seppomuppit]

christians are totally fail, if only he won

[frippp66]

Very nice. Funny.

[PoetLina]

Just love the last stanza, it is so universally disparaging - reminds me of that verse which ends, "... and when I'm introduced to one, I wish I thought what jolly fun"

[cavafyinenglish]

Thanks Lina. It makes one think of Tony Blair - or any politician :)

[superdooperstupor]

Dear Charles, A wry and wonderful translation and reading. I postulate that Julian the Apostate sounds like a typical Member of Parliament or the U.S. Congress.

[cavafyinenglish]

I think you are right Kestal: what we might call a turncoat! However, I feel some sympathy being myself drawn to both Christian AND pagan views of things :)

[keanghiero]

NICE.

5*

ALL THE BEST

KEAN

[cavafyinenglish]

Thanks Kean :)

[twinnumber3]

My esteem and affection for you grow with every poem. Thank you once again. (And this time, you taught me a new word- lucubration. Interesting Latin root.) I appreciate the irony of, "Thank God".

[cavafyinenglish]

Thanks Jonathan and good luck with your channel.

[1zangelique]

Is this, in part, about conformity? I love the line "endlessly seeking miracles and signs." (Aren't we all?) Marvelous as always Charles!

[cavafyinenglish]

Conformity and craftiness! He thought he'd better keep his head down for a bit :)

[cavafyinenglish]

Yes I do have Vidal's Julian and liked it - that, and his memoirs 'Palimpsest.' Saw him on TV about a year ago, looking quite frail now.

[nicksynnz]

Excellent Charles, great imagery listening to this. Thank you.

[cavafyinenglish]

Thanks Nikita :)

[trisoctehedron]

Hi Charles. I wonder if you know Gore Vidal's novel "Julian"?

I thought it was great. I guessed after reading it that Julian was a hero to Vidal, because to me that novel had more feeling in it than most of Vidal's other books.

As a refugee from the backwoods, Julian became a hero to me. Vidal too.