Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why was Julian appointed Caesar in 355?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Julian
Julian the Apostate, detail of a marble statue; in the Louvre, Paris.
In 355, Emperor Constantius II appointed his cousin Julian as Caesar primarily because he was in urgent need of a reliable administrator of his own house.12
Following the execution of his previous Caesar, Gallusâwho had proven to be incompetent and cruelâConstantius II required a new coadjutor and potential successor to help manage the empire's affairs. After much hesitation, he summoned Julian from his studies in Greece to fill this role. Julian was subsequently dispatched to Gaul, where he served as a successful commander and administrator, eventually rising to the position of Augustus.32