Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T11:23:52.311Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Constantia: The Last Constantinian*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2017

Meaghan McEvoy
Meaghan McEvoy*
Affiliation:
Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt-am-Main/Macquarie University, Sydneymeaghan.mcevoy@mq.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This article highlights the significant role played by Constantia, posthumous daughter of the emperor Constantius II, in late fourth century dynastic politics and ideology. Though Constantia has generally been neglected in modern studies of the period, close examination of the surviving sources reveals her pivotal position, even from her earliest years, as a coveted link between the Constantinian dynasty and new emperors seeking to establish themselves and their families in the turbulent years of the 360s, 370s and 380s AD. Through investigation of the source material relating to Constantia’s short life, we gain further vital insight into the perennial importance to imperial politics of dynastic loyalty, and specifically loyalty to the Constantinian house, in the late fourth century, as well as emerging new ideas about the complexities of the marriages of imperial women.

Type
Research Article
Information
Antichthon , Volume 50 , November 2016 , pp. 154 - 179
Copyright
© The Australasian Society for Classical Studies 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

*

I am very grateful to Caillan Davenport, Jan Willem Drijvers, John Haldon, Hartmut Leppin, Muriel Moser, and Paul Tuffin for their careful reading of this article, and also to the two anonymous reviewers – all of whom provided many useful insights. Any remaining errors are my own. The research for this article was conducted during my Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt-am-Main from 2013-2016, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunities this Fellowship afforded.

Abbreviations used in this article:

AE L’Année Épigraphique

AM Ammianus Marcellinus

CIL Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum, ed. G. Reimerum, 36 vols (Berlin 1862-1893)

CTh Theodosiani libri xvi cum constitutionibus Sirmondianis, Th. Mommsen, P. Meyer et al. (eds) (Berlin 1905). English translation: Codex Theodosianus: The Theodosian Code and Novels and the Sirmondian Constitutions, trans. C. Pharr (New York 1952)

ILS Inscriptiones Latinae Selectae, H. Dessau (ed.) (Berlin 1892-1916)

LSA The Last Statues of Antiquity Databasehttp://laststatues.classics.ox.ac.uk/

PLRE The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, 3 vols, A.H.M. Jones, J.R. Martindale, J.R. & J. Morris (eds.) (Cambridge 1971-1992)

RE Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft

References

Austin, N.J.E. (1972), ‘A Usurper’s Claim to Legitimacy: Procopius in AD 365/6’, Rivista Storica dell’Antichitá 2, 187–194.Google Scholar
Barnes, T.D. (1975), ‘Constans and Gratian in Rome’, Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 79, 325–333.Google Scholar
Barnes, T.D. (2011), Constantine: Dynasty, Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire. Cambridge.Google Scholar
Blockley, R.C. (1975), Ammianus Marcellinus: A Study of his Historiography and Political Thought. Brussels.Google Scholar
Boatwright, M.T. (1992), ‘Matidia the Younger’, Echoes du Monde Classique/Classical Views 36, 19–32.Google Scholar
den Boeft, J., den Hengst, D. and Teitler, H.C. (1991), Philological and Historical Commentary on Ammianus Marcellinus XXI. Groningen.Google Scholar
den Boeft, J., Drijvers, J.W., den Hengst, D. and Teitler, H.C. (2005), Philological and Historical Commentary on Ammianus Marcellinus XXV. Leiden.Google Scholar
den Boeft, J., Drijvers, J.W., den Hengst, D. and Teitler, H.C. (2008), Philological and Historical Commentary on Ammianus Marcellinus XXVI. Leiden.Google Scholar
den Boeft, J., Drijvers, J.W., den Hengst, D. and Teitler, H.C. (2013), Philological and Historical Commentary on Ammianus Marcellinus XXIX. Leiden.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brubaker, L. (1997), ‘Memories of Helena: Patterns in Imperial Female Matronage in the Fourth and Fifth centuries Women, Men and Eunuchs: Gender in Byzantium, L. James (ed.), 52–75. London.Google Scholar
Burgess, R.W. (2003), ‘The Passio S. Artemisii, Philostorgius, and the Dates of the Invention and Translation of the Relics of Sts Andrew and Luke’, Analecta Bollandiana 121, 5–36.Google Scholar
Burgess, R.W. (2008), ‘The Summer of Blood: The ‘Great Massacre’ of 337 and the Promotion of the Sons of Constantine the Great’, DOP 62, 5–52.Google Scholar
Busch, A. (2015), Die Frauen der theodosianischen Dynastie: Macht und Repräsentation kaiserlicher Frauen im 5. Jahrhundert. Stuttgart.Google Scholar
Corcoran, S. (2007), ‘Galerius’ Jigsaw Puzzle: The Caesariani Dossier’, Antiquité Tardive 15, 221–250.Google Scholar
Croke, B. (2010), ‘Reinventing Constantinople: Theodosius I’s Imprint on the Imperial City’, in From the Tetrarchs to the Theodosians, S. McGill, C. Sogno and E.J. Watts (eds), 241–264. Cambridge.Google Scholar
Croke, B. (2015), ‘Ariadne Augusta: Shaping the Identity of the Early Byzantine Empress’, in G.D. Dunn and W. Mayer (eds), Christians Shaping Identity from the Roman Empire to Byzantium: Studies Inspired by Pauline Allen. 293–320. Leiden.Google Scholar
Dagron, G. (1974), Naissance d’une capitale: Constantinople et ses institutions de 330 à 451. Paris.Google Scholar
Davenport, C. (2014), ‘Imperial Ideology and Commemorative Culture in the Eastern Roman Empire, 284-450CE’, in Byzantium, its Neighbours and its Cultures, D. Dzino and K. Perry (eds), 43–68. Sydney.Google Scholar
Davenport, C. and Manley, J. (2014), Fronto: Selected Letters. London.Google Scholar
Davenport, C. and Mallen, C. (2014), ‘Hadrian’s Adoption Speech in Cassius Dio’s Roman History and the Problems of Imperial Succession’, American Journal of Philology 135, 637–668.Google Scholar
Deliyannis, D.M. (2010), Ravenna in Late Antiquity. Cambridge.Google Scholar
Demandt, A. (1998), Geschichte der Spätantike: das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr. 2nd edn. Munich.Google Scholar
Dirschlmayer, M. (2015), Kirchenstiftungen römischer Kaiserinnen vom 4. bis zum 6. Jahrhundert: die Erschließung neuer Handlungsspielraüme. Münster.Google Scholar
Downey, G. (1959), ‘The Tombs of the Byzantine Emperors at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople’, Journal of Hellenic Studies 79, 27–51.Google Scholar
Drijvers, J.W. (2011), ‘Helena Augusta, the Cross and the Myth: Some New Reflections’, Millenium 8, 125–174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garland, L. (1999), Byzantine Empresses: Women and Power in Byzantium, AD527-1204. London.Google Scholar
Grierson, P. (1962), (with additional note by C. Mango and I. Ševčenko), ‘The Tombs and Obits of the Byzantine Emperors (338-1042), DOP 16, 1+3-63.Google Scholar
Green, R.P.H. (1991), The Works of Ausonius, (edited with introduction and commentary). Oxford.Google Scholar
Haldon, J. and Brubaker, L. (2001), Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era, ca. 680-850: The Sources. Birmingham.Google Scholar
Harries, J. (2012), Imperial Rome AD284-363. Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Harries, J. (2014), ‘The Empresses’ Tale, AD300-360’, in C. Harrison, C. Humfress and I. Sandwell (eds), Being Christian in Late Antiquity: A Festschrift for Gillian Clark, 197–214. Oxford.Google Scholar
Harrison, R.M. (1989), A Temple for Byzantium: The Discovery and Excavation of Anicia Iuliana’s Palace Church in Constantinople. London.Google Scholar
Heather, P. (1994), ‘New Men for New Constantines? Creating an Imperial Elite in the Eastern Mediterranean’, in P. Magdalino (ed.), New Constantines: The Rhythm of Imperial Renewal in Byzantium, 4th-6th Centuries, 11–33. Aldershot.Google Scholar
Heather, P. (1999), ‘Ammianus on Jovian’, in J.W. Drijvers and D. Hunt (eds), The Late Roman World and its Historian: Interpreting Ammianus Marcellinus, 105–116. London.Google Scholar
Heather, P. and Moncur, D. (2001), Politics, Philosophy, and Empire in the Fourth Century: Select Orations of Themistius. Liverpool.Google Scholar
Herrin, J. (2001), Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium. London.Google Scholar
Herrin, J. (2013), Unrivalled Influence: Women and Empire in Byzantium. Princeton.Google Scholar
Holum, K. (1982), Theodosian Empresses: Women and Imperial Dominion in Late Antiquity. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Hopkins, K. (1983), Death and Renewal. Cambridge.Google Scholar
James, L. (2001), Empresses and Power in Early Byzantium. London.Google Scholar
Johnson, M.J. (1991), ‘On the Burial Places of the Valentinian Dynasty’, Historia 40, 501–506.Google Scholar
Johnson, M.J. (1992), ‘Where were Constantius I and Helena Buried?’ Latomus 51, 145–150.Google Scholar
Johnson, M.J. (2008), ‘The Burial of the Emperor Julian in Constantinople’, Byzantion 78, 254–260.Google Scholar
Johnson, M.J. (2009), The Roman Imperial Mausoleum in Late Antiquity. Cambridge.Google Scholar
Kelly, G. (2003), ‘The New Rome and the Old: Ammianus Marcellinus’ Silences on Constantinople’, CQ n.s. 53, 588–607.Google Scholar
Lenski, N.E. (2002), Failure of Empire: Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century AD. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Lenski, N.E. (ed.) (2006), The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine. Cambridge.Google Scholar
McEvoy, M.A. (2010), ‘Rome and the Transformation of the Imperial Office in the Late Fourth to Fifth Centuries AD’, PBSR 78, 151–192.Google Scholar
McEvoy, M.A. (2013a), Child Emperor Rule in the Late Roman West, AD 367-455. Oxford.Google Scholar
McEvoy, M.A. (2013b), ‘The Mausoleum of Honorius: Late Roman Imperial Christianity and the City of Rome’, in R. McKitterick, J. Story, J. Osborne and C. Richards (eds), Old St Peter’s Basilica. 131–149. Cambridge.Google Scholar
McLynn, N.B. (1994), Ambrose of Milan: Church and Court in a Christian Capital. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Malosse, P.L. (2011), ‘Philostorge, Libanios et Julian: divergences et convergences’, in D. Meyer (ed.), Philostorge et l’historiographie de l’Antiquité tardive/Philostorg im Kontext der spätantiken Geschichtsschreibung, 203–222. Stuttgart.Google Scholar
Mango, C. (1990), ‘Constantine’s Mausoleum and the Translation of Relics’, BZ 83, 51–61.Google Scholar
Marasco, G. (2011), ‘Église et état chez Philostorge’, in Philostorge et l’historiographie de l’Antiquité tardive/Philostorg im Kontext der spätantiken Geschichtsschreibung, in D. Meyer (ed.), 265–274. Stuttgart.Google Scholar
Matthews, J. (1989), The Roman Empire of Ammianus. London.Google Scholar
Milner, C. (1994), ‘The Image of the Rightful Ruler: Anicia Iuliana’s Constantine Mosaic in the Church of St Polyeuktos’, in P. Magdalino (ed.), New Constantines: the Rhythm of Imperial Renewal in Byzantium, 4 th -13 th Centuries . Aldershot.Google Scholar
Noreña, C. (2007), ‘Hadrian’s Chastity’, Phoenix 61, 296–317.Google Scholar
Paschoud, F. (1971-1989), Zosime: Histoire nouvelle, ed. and trans., 3 parts, 5 vols. Paris.Google Scholar
Potter, D. (2004), The Roman Empire at Bay, AD180-395. London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seeck, O. (1900), ‘Constantia 15’, Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft IV.959.Google Scholar
Seeck, O. (1909), ‘Eusebia 1’, Paulys Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft VI: 1365-66.Google Scholar
Scheidel, W. (1999), ‘Emperors, Aristocrats and the Grim Reaper: Towards a Demographic Profile of the Roman Elite’, CQ n.s. 49, 254–281.Google Scholar
Snee, R. (1985), ‘Valens’ Recall of the Nicene Exiles and anti-Arian Propaganda’, in GRBS 26, 395–419.Google Scholar
Szidat, J. (2010), Usurpator tanti nominis. Kaiser und Usurpator in der Spätantike (337-476 n. Chr.). Stuttgart.Google Scholar
Swift, L.J. and Oliver, J.H. (1962), ‘Constantius II on Flavius Philippus’, AJP 83, 247–264.Google Scholar
Tougher, S. (1998), ‘The Advocacy of an Empress: Julian and Eusebia’, CQ n.s. 48, 595–599.Google Scholar
Tougher, S. (2000), ‘Ammianus Marcellinus on the Empress Eusebia: A Split Personality?’, Greece and Rome 47, 94–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vanderspoel, J. (1995), Themistius and the Imperial Court: Oratory, Civic Duty, and Paideia from Constantius to Theodosius. Michigan.Google Scholar
Wahlgren, S. (2001), ‘Symeon the Logothete: Some Philological Remarks’, Byzantion 71, 251–262.Google Scholar
Wahlgren, S. (2006), ‘Prolegomena’, in S. Wahlgren (ed.), Symeonis Magistri et Logothetae Chronicon, 3–139. Berlin.Google Scholar
Wieber, A. (2010), ‘Eine Kaiserin von Gewicht? Julians Rede auf Eusebia zwischen Geschlechtsspezifik, höfisher Repräsentation und Matronage’, in A. Kolb (ed.), Augustae. Machtbewusste Frauen am römischen Kaiserhof? Herrschaftsstrukturen und Herrschaftspraxis II. Akten der Tagung in Zürich 18-20.09.2010, 253–76. Berlin.Google Scholar
Woods, D. (2004), ‘The Constantinian Origins of Justina (Themistius, Or. 3.43b)’, CQ n.s. 54, 325–327.Google Scholar