Restoration of paganism from Julian until Valens

Following the death of Constantine, he witnessed the assassination of his father, brother and other family members by the guards of the imperial palace.

Upon becoming emperor, Julian decided to restore paganism, the ancient Roman religion, while reforming it in the hope of making it the driving force behind the empire.

[6] However, no Christian was allowed to teach or study the ancient classical authors, "Let them keep to Matthew and Luke", thus ending any chance they had of a professional career.

[3][7] He did not believe Christians could honestly teach subjects replete with allusions to Greek deities whose existence they denied.

[15] Valentinian even allowed the performance of nocturnal sacrifices, which had been previously prohibited due to the attempt of some people to practice unlawful divination under the cover of the night, after the proconsul of Greece appealed to him.

[18] Due to the over-zealousness of the populace to stop harmful divination, the haruspices and augurs began to be afraid to show themselves in public.