After quoting a passage from Libanius, the Sophist, to the effect that Julian the apostate perished in battle against the Persians, by the hands of one of his own soldiers, Sozomen proceeds: -

'In the document above cited, Libanius clearly states that the emperor fell by the hand of a Christian; and this, probably, was the truth. It is not unlikely that some of the soldiers who then served in the Roman army might have conceived the idea of acting like the ancient slayers of tyrants, who exposed themselves to death in the cause of liberty, and fought in defence of their country, their families, and their friends, and whose names are held in universal admiration. Still less is he deserving of blame, who, for the sake of God and of religion, performed so bold a deed. But I know nothing further concerning the death of Julian besides what I have related. All men, however, concur in receiving the account which has been handed down to us, and which evidences his death to have been the result of Divine wrath.

'It appears that one of his friends had a vision, which I shall now proceed to describe. He had, it is related, travelled into Persia, with the intention of joining the emperor. While on the road, he found himself so far from any habitation that he was obliged one night to sleep in a church. He saw, during that night, either in a dream or a vision, all the apostles and prophets assembled together, and complaining of the' injuries which the emperor had inflicted on the Church, and consulting concerning the best measures to be adopted. After much deliberation, two individuals arose in the midst of the assembly, desired the others to be of good cheer, and departed, as if to deprive Julian of the imperial power. He who saw this vision did not attempt to pursue his journey, but awaited, in horrible suspense, the conclusion of the revelation. . He laid himself down to sleep again, in the same place, and again he saw the same assembly: the two individuals who had appeared to depart the preceding night, to effect their purpose against Julian, returned, and announced his death to the others.

'On the same day, a vision was sent to Didymus, an ecclesiastical philosopher, who 'dwelt at Alexandria, and who, being deeply grieved at the apostasy of Julian, and his persecution of the churches, fasted and offered up supplications to God continually, on this account. From the effects of extreme vigilance and want of food, he fell asleep in his chair. Then being, as it were, in an ecstasy, he beheld white horses traversing the air, and heard a voice saying to those who were riding thereon: - "Go, and tell Didymus that Julian has just been slain; and let him arise and eat, and communicate this intelligence to Athanasius the bishop." I have been credibly informed that the friend of Julian and the philosopher beheld these things. Results proved that neither of them were far from having witnessed the truth.' - Ecclesiastical History.