This week's episode is brought to you by Audible.

As you know, Audible is the Internet's leading provider of audio entertainment with over 80,000 titles to choose from.

When you're done with this episode, go to audiblepodcast.com forward slash Rome.

That again, audiblepodcast.com forward slash Rome.

By going to that address, you qualify for a free book download when you sign up for a 14-day trial membership.

There is no obligation to continue the service and you can cancel anytime and keep the free book download.

You can also keep going with one of the monthly subscription options and get great deals on all your future audiobook purchases.

This week, I am going to go with a recommendation from listener Karina Burns, the epic epic that is Benher by Lou Wallace.

It's almost one full day of listening pleasure and so it would be a bargain at twice the price.

Just remember to go to audiblepodcast.com forward slash Rome so that they know who sent you.

Hello and welcome to the history of Rome.

Episode 144, The Road to Constantinople.

Julian's first taste of what the future had in store for him came immediately after the battle of Straussburg in 357 AD.

Having just routed a German army that outnumbered them three to one and suffering only minimal losses while doing it,

the Roman soldiers under Julian's command were understandably exuberant.

So exuberant that when Julian emerged to address them following the battle, the troops spontaneously hailed him as Augustus.

This seditious offer hung in the air for a heartbeat before the 25 year old Julian swatted it down harshly.

My cousin Constantius is Augustus, he told him, and I will not under any circumstances allow you to elevate me in opposition to him.

This closed the matter for the moment, but after another two and a half years of rising tensions between Julian and Constantius,

the young Caesar would eventually change his mind and allow his army to give him what they wanted to give him.

That said, Julian's actions following the victory at Straussburg went a long way towards convincing the troops that maybe attempting to elevate their Caesar had actually been a bad idea.

Looking right on the line between Fall and Winter 357, the Roman soldiers assumed that Feather in Cap, Julian would order them to a well-deserved winter's rest.

...