half-Arians adopted the .Orthodox Doctrines almost
immediately. The pagans felt attracted by his magnetic
personality and his tranquil logic won them. To the pagan
priests who were augurs and soothsayers he seemed a
veritable sorcerer who enchanted men and women from all
ranks.^53
- Emperor Julian had not calculated that his edict of
amnesty would have such auspicious results. He had
condescendingly liberated Athanasius and other Orthodox
Bishops hoping to poison the atmosphere between them
by placing the chief opponents face to face. When his
hope was not realised he was enraged. Consequently, lie
took off the mask of magnanimity he had so ostentatiously
paraded with, and exposed his real self by apostatising.
Then he sent a letter to the people of Alexandria in which
he ordered Athanasius to leave their city. This was
coupled with a letter to the Prefect of that city warning
him that should Athanasius remain in his metropolis later
than the first of December, he and his officers would have
to pay a hundred pounds weight of gold as a punishment.
These two letters infuriated the people. They
delegated some of the most trustworthy among them to
go to Antioch and meet the Emperor to see if they could
convince him to change his orders. When the delegates
arrived, they were met with disdainful arrogance.
December was drawing near. Athanasius realised
that if he did not leave the city, his people would be
exposed to grave danger. To comfort them before
leaving, he assembled them and spoke to them: "Let not
your hearts be troubled my dearly beloved children", he
said. "This is merely a passing cloud which one whiff of
the wind will dispel". And once again he embarked on the
Eternal River towards his familiar haven: the Thebaid.