The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus: A Novel of Truth

In 357 A.D. Engulfed in turmoil, the Roman Empire had divided itself in two: the West, overrun by barbarian marauders, and the East, prosperous, encroaching toward the orient, its borders extending and contracting with battles against Persians. To quell growing civil unrest, Constantine the Great made Christianity the state religion, remaking temples to Jupiter into churches of the Anointed One. After Constantine’s death, his son Constantius took power as Caesar Augustus, high ruler of the Empire, in Byzantium, new capitol of Rome and home of the Senate, then executed all that remained of their family, save his two cousins, Gallus and Julian. Constantius appointed Julian, aged only twenty-three, Caesar of the West, custodian of Rome against the pillaging tribes. An academic at heart, no one in the Empire believed he stood a chance leading the armies of Rome, until one day in Gaul, a great battle altered the course of Julian’s career, and changed the lives of two soldiers destined to make history.