Roman emperor, elected by the Roman army, after the death of Julian the apostate, in 363. He at first refused, saying he would not command idolatrous soldiers; but, upon an assurance that they would embrace Christianity, he accepted the throne, and immediately shut all the Pagan temples, and forbade their sacrifices. But he did not long enjoy the dignity to which his merit had raised him; being suffocated in his bed by the fumes of a fire that had been made to dry the chamber, in 364, the 31st of his age, and the eighth month of his reign. See Constantinople, No. 67.

Jovius (Paul), in Italian Giovio, a celebrated historian, was born at Como in Italy, in the year 1483. As his father died in his infancy, he was educated by his eldest brother Benedict Jovius, under whom he became well skilled in classical learning; and then went to Rome, for the sake of enjoying the benefit of the Vatican library. He there wrote his first piece, De pilitibus Romani, which he dedicated to cardinal Lewis of Bourbon. He received a pension of 500 crowns for many years from Francis I., king of France, whose favour he secured by his flatteries. But, in the following reign, having disguised the constable Montmorency, his name was struck out of the list of pensioners. Jovius did not suffer his spirits to sink under his misfortune: he had obtained a high reputation in the learned world by his writings; and having always showed great respect to the house of Medicis, on whose praises he had expatiated in his works, he applied to Clement VI., and obtained the bishopric of Nocera. His principal piece is his history, which is that of his own time throughout the world, beginning with 1494, and extending to the year 1544. This was the chief business of his life. For he formed the plan of it in the year 1515; and continued upon it till his death, which happened at Florence in 1552. It is printed in three volumes folio. He is allowed to have been a man of wit as well as learning: he was master of a bright and polished style, and has many curious observations; but being a venal writer, his histories are not much credited.