II
Friday 23 July
N eptunalia, these festivities included rituals on riversides or on seashores: the 23rd of July was, for the romans, a very special day. Today, though, I have other things in my mind: I was sure, or at least hoped, to find Julian’s remains at Tarsus’ site, but Valentinian had the great idea of moving them. He might have taken the body anywhere: the roman empire included most of modern Europe, northern Africa, Middle East and Asia Minor.
During a seemingly quiet moment at the bank, I ask via email to my doctorate professor from Heidelberg University where I could find anything about this hypothetical removal of the Apostate. Professor Gerrit Alföling answers only after one hour, confirming that there is actually nothing in the sources contemporary to the events. He su
