Re: [tied] Re: Chronology of the Christianization of the East Roman

In a message dated 10/17/02 2:16:28 PM Central Daylight Time, julianus@... writes:

He died in battle against the Persians. Apparently there is a persistent legend, though I don't know from what source, to the effect he was actually struck down by one of his own Christian soldiers.

-- Julianus

Dear Julianus,

         Thanks for the update on Julian. He is not the first General or Commander in Chief to be the victim of friendly fire or assassination and was not to be the last. One of the defects of the Roman military system was for the Emperor himself to actively assume the role of Army Commander and General in Chief. It worked well on occasion but on occasion, against the Goths at Adrianople and the Persians it rusulted in decapitation of the Imperial authority when the Empire was most imperiled and a new struggle for succession under crisis.

        Lieutenant General "Stonewall" Jackson of the Confederate Army in the US Civil War was shot and killed by his own troops during the battle of Chancellorsville in the Spring of 1863. His death may have confounded Lee's organization and contributed to his loss at Gettysburg in July 1863.

     Please excuse the continued diversion from language issues. Those who despise historical context or discussion have a right to be miffed. I apologize for taking up your time.

Best Regards, John Piscopo
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