As attested in 1 John 2:18-19 there have been antichrists since early in the Christian Era. And that label has been applied since then to numerous sects, denominations and individuals by their detractors. Dmitri Mérejkowski explores the theme of Christ and Antichrist in his trilogy which focuses on three prominent historical figures: the Roman emperor Julian, the ‘Renaissance man’ Leonardo da Vinci and Tsar Peter I of Russia. Born Flavius Claudius Julianus, the emperor Julian came to be known as ‘Julian the Apostate’, especially by Christians. This nephew of ‘Constantine the Great’ sought to reverse the transition to Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire; a transition that was set in motion by his uncle. He is the subject of the first book, The Death of the Gods, in Mérejkowski’s trilogy. (Summary by Brian Fullen)
