Helena Augusta

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.

• AcknowledgementsAbbreviationsTimeline of the Constantinian, Valentinian and Theodosian DynastiesDramatis PersonaeFamily TreeMapsIntroduction: Writing HelenaThe Case for (Chronological) BiographyWriting Helena's Life Forwards: Of Places, Gaps and RelationshipsHelena, Dynasty, and PowerPart I: Extra (c. 248-c.289)Chapter 1: On the FrontiersDemographicsHelena and the 'Crisis of the Third Century'Meeting ConstantiusChapter 2: Weather Eye on the HorizonLegalitiesHelena at Naissus and SalonaHelena's TetrarchyPart II: Off-Stage (c. 289-c. 317)Chapter 3: Sister ActLost Girl: TheodoraFausta's NosePruning the TreeWaiting in the Wings, Becoming Christian?Chapter 4: The Necklace AffairThe Tomb at %Sarkamen Divine MothersThe Augusta in the EastFair Game: Empresses as PreyPart III: Centre-Stage (c.317-c.329)Chapter 5: Keeping Up AppearancesThe Road to Thessalonica: A Wedding, a Conspiracy, and a War The Augusta-DoubleFausta, Super StarChapter 6: Roman Holiday Palace LifeHelena and Constantine's Churches in RomeNew LookChapter 7: Four Deaths and an AnniversaryMurders in the FamilyBecoming GenetrixChapter 8: From Here to Eternity The Travelling Empress: Conflicting PortraitsHelena, the Pilgrim?On the RoadA New JezebelEmpresses in the Holy LandPart IV: Curtain and Encores (c.329-c. 600)Chapter 9: Burying an EmpressFinal HonoursRebranching the TreeComing Through SlaughterChapter 10: Silence of the Empress Extending Helena: ConstantinaBurying Empresses, One More TimeCountering Helena: JustinaChapter 11: New Model Empress Ambrose's HelenaReviving Helena's Look: Flaccilla and ThermantiaReviving Helena in ActionEmulating Helena: Galla Placidia and EudociaA 'New Helena' in Name: PulcheriaBeing Helena: RadegundEpilogueAncient SourcesModern StudiesIndex

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.