Helena Augusta

Description

Helena Augusta traces the life story of Flavia Iulia Helena, Augusta of the Roman world and mother of the first Christian emperor Constantine. Her life generated literary outrage, beautiful imperial artwork, and entertaining legends, and offers a unique perspective on the roles of imperial women in fourth-century dynastic politics.

• Offers a biography of a woman central to late Roman history and early Christianity
• Provides a political and narrative history from the late third to the fifth century, through the lens of imperial women
• Presents new and unique insights into Helena's life and her role at the Constantinian court

About the Author(s)

Julia Hillner, Professor of Ancient History at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Julia Hillner is Professor of Ancient History at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. She is the author of Prison, Punishment and Penance in Late Antiquity.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Timeline of the Constantinian, Valentinian and Theodosian Dynasties
Dramatis Personae
Family Tree
Maps
Introduction: Writing Helena
The Case for (Chronological) Biography
Writing Helena's Life Forwards: Of Places, Gaps and Relationships
Helena, Dynasty, and Power
Part I: Extra (c. 248-c.289)
Chapter 1: On the Frontiers
Demographics
Helena and the 'Crisis of the Third Century'
Meeting Constantius
Chapter 2: Weather Eye on the Horizon
Legalities
Helena at Naissus and Salona
Helena's Tetrarchy
Part II: Off-Stage (c. 289-c. 317)
Chapter 3: Sister Act
Lost Girl: Theodora
Fausta's Nose
Pruning the Tree
Waiting in the Wings, Becoming Christian?
Chapter 4: The Necklace Affair
The Tomb at Šarkamen
Divine Mothers
The Augusta in the East
Fair Game: Empresses as Prey
Part III: Centre-Stage (c.317-c.329)
Chapter 5: Keeping Up Appearances
The Road to Thessalonica: A Wedding, a Conspiracy, and a War
The Augusta-Double
Fausta, Super Star
Chapter 6: Roman Holiday
Palace Life
Helena and Constantine's Churches in Rome
New Look
Chapter 7: Four Deaths and an Anniversary
Murders in the Family
Becoming Genetrix
Chapter 8: From Here to Eternity
The Travelling Empress: Conflicting Portraits
Helena, the Pilgrim?
On the Road
A New Jezebel
Empresses in the Holy Land
Part IV: Curtain and Encores (c.329-c. 600)
Chapter 9: Burying an Empress
Final Honours
Rebranching the Tree
Coming Through Slaughter
Chapter 10: Silence of the Empress
Extending Helena: Constantina
Burying Empresses, One More Time
Countering Helena: Justina
Chapter 11: New Model Empress
Ambrose's Helena
Reviving Helena's Look: Flaccilla and Thermantia
Reviving Helena in Action
Emulating Helena: Galla Placidia and Eudocia
A 'New Helena' in Name: Pulcheria
Being Helena: Radegund
Epilogue
Ancient Sources
Modern Studies
Index

Reviews

"Using tools developed for feminist historiography, Hillner has retrieved the historical mother of Constantine the Great from the realm of legend. Her reconstruction is engaging, filled with shrewd insight, and well-grounded in ancient sources. She is especially good at using material culture to lead into deeper discussions. Instead of the saintly Helena who discovered the True Cross, we now have a living, breathing person who can teach us a great deal about the history of women in the fourth century." - H. A. Drake, author of A Century of Miracles: Christians, Pagans, Jews and the Supernatural, 312-410