Présentation du dossier

When he prematurely and unexpectedly died in january 2007, Jean Martin, known as a fine editor and specialist of Greek texts (Aratos, Menander comicus, Libanios, etc.) was having in progress several works which he had been meditating for long: among them a commented edition of translated texts entitled Julian dubbed Apostate’s autobiographical writings. Convinced of the great interest of that unfinished research, we gladly acceded to his daughter’s wish that such a treasure of fresh science would not get lost. We even decided, contrary to our journal’s habits, to publish the translations of Julian’s autobiographical texts, planned to be the core of the intended book because, though deprived of their relative comment, let alone their intrinsic value, they provide us with interpretations of the texts which by themselves open views from new angles. The editors’ care has been to make best use of this preliminary, inequally wrought material, sometimes merely exploratory, but, even in such a uneven form, always full of suggestions or questioning. Could this unusual kind of publication be the living testimony of higher intellectual probity, demanding method and scientific perseverance on some overabundantly treated arguments which can still be renewed, as demonstrated by Jean Martin’s unfinished achievements.