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 Power Part I: Extra (c. 248-c.289) Chapter 1: On the FrontiersDemographicsHelena and the 'Crisis of the Third Century'Meeting Constantius Chapter 2: Weather Eye on the HorizonLegalitiesHelena at Naissus and SalonaHelena's Tetrarchy Part 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 Prey Part 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 Star Chapter 6: Roman Holiday Palace LifeHelena and Constantine's Churches in RomeNew Look Chapter 7: Four Deaths and an AnniversaryMurders in the FamilyBecoming Genetrix Chapter 8: From Here to Eternity The Travelling Empress: Conflicting PortraitsHelena, the Pilgrim?On the RoadA New JezebelEmpresses in the Holy Land Part IV: Curtain and Encores (c.329-c. 600) Chapter 9: Burying an EmpressFinal HonoursRebranching the TreeComing Through Slaughter Chapter 10: Silence of the Empress Extending Helena: ConstantinaBurying Empresses, One More TimeCountering Helena: Justina Chapter 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: Radegund Epilogue Ancient 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.