Religious Intolerance in the Later Roman Empire - Bad request ...

unknown, but Jovian did receive such a statement. 14 However, as in the letter from
the recent council of Antioch, Athanasius’ statement has more of a didactic quality and
reads more like an introduction to the Nicene position than an encapsulation of
orthodox belief; essentially it seems to be an attempt to capture the emperor for the
Nicene faith. Athanasius sketched a brief history of the Nicene position informing the
emperor that that position had been so since the beginning of time and had been
affirmed by the fathers of the Church. He indicated how the Arians, as heretics, had
sought to undermine it, but (with some exaggeration) he told the emperor how the
Nicene faith was now the accepted mode of Christianity throughout the empire from
Britain, Gaul and Africa to the East, save for a few areas of Arian resistance.
Athanasius even included the text of the Nicene creed and finished off his statement by
belittling the Arian position and affirming that they were only contending over the
meaning of a few words. Such a précis of the Nicene faith and moreover inclusion of
the Nicene creed would not, presumably, be necessary if Jovian was already
committed to that faith as Socrates and Sozomen allege.
CTh. 9.25.2 of 19 February 364 issued to Secundus, Praetorian Prefect of the
East, is the only law to have survived from Jovians short reign. 15 It should be noted
that this law was actually issued two days after Jovian’s death and eight days before the
accession of Valentinian. Antioch is given as the place of issue. Jovian had left
Antioch in early November 363 making slow progress to Constantinople and dying in
Bithynia during the night of 16/17 February 364. 16 Presumably it must have been
authorised by the late emperor, but as it was pending for nearly four months (between
Antioch and Bithynia) it must be doubted how urgent it was and therefore how much
importance Jovian and his ministers attached to its provisions.
14
Barnes (1993) 159-160 is also dubious as to whether Jovian did indeed request such a statement. PG
26.813-820 Also quoted by Theodoret 4.3
15
Saturninius Secundus Salutius 3 PLRE 1.814-817. The law is referred to by Socrates 6.3
16 Barnes (1993) 160-161
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