Empress Justa Grata Honoria
Roman Empress Justa Grata Honoria Attila the Hun invaded Rome for her hand. (b. 418, d. 452-455?, Empress 426-450)Empress Honoria is another of my favorite Theodosian Women. First born to Empress Placidia and Emperor Constantius III, she led a troubled life with a...
Empress Aelia Eudocia (Athenais)
Roman Empress Aelia Eudocia (Athenais) Love story or political pawn? (b. 400/1, d. 460, Empress 421-460)Empress Aelia Eudocia married Empress Pulcheria's brother Theodosius II. She was born Athenais, the only daughter of a pagan Greek philosopher named Leontius who...
Empress Aelia Pulcheria
Roman Empress Aelia Pulcheria Took over the Empire at age fifteen. (b. 399, d. 453. Empress 414 – 453)When I researched my first novel (Selene of Alexandria) about Hypatia the Lady Philosophy, I ran across Pulcheria, the fifteen year old girl who outwitted the men of...
Empress Thermantia
Roman Empress Thermantia Married an Emperor. Divorced a virgin. (b. 386/7, d. 415, Empress 408) Thermantia had one of the shortest stints as empress of all the Theodosian women. Her sister Maria’s body was barely cold when her parents Stilicho and Serena forced her...
Empress Maria
Roman Empress Maria Married an emperor. Died a virgin. (b. 384/5, d. 407, Empress 398-407)There’s not much more to tell of poor Maria’s story. She was the oldest daughter of Serena and Stilicho and had no say in her marriage to her first cousin once-removed Emperor...
Empress Galla Placidia
Roman Empress Galla Placidia Taken by the Goths during the sack of Rome. (b. 388-90 d. 450 Empress: 421-450)The sole surviving child of Theodosius and Galla, Placidia led a storied life which I chronicle in my novel Twilight Empress. Because I cover her adulthood in...
Empress Aelia Eudoxia
Roman Empress Aelia Eudoxia Jezebel of the East? (b.?, d. 404, Empress 395-404)Was she or wasn’t she? It depends on whether you’re a modern historian who admires assertive women or a fifth century bishop. Eudoxia was the attractive daughter of a Romanized Frankish...
Princess Serena
Roman Princess Serena Executed for treason. (b. ?, d. 409)Theodosius took his niece Serena into his household when his brother Honorius died. She became a powerful influence on him. He called her “daughter” and it’s said she was the only person who could soothe his...
Empress Galla
Roman Empress Galla Died young, but left a legacy. (b. 370?, d 394, Empress 387-394) After Aelia Flacilla's death, the grieving Emperor Theodosius turned his eyes on a young imperial princess: Galla, the daughter of slain Emperor Valentinian I and sister of the...
Empress Aelia Flacilla
Roman Empress Aelia Flavia Flacilla Saint or sinner? (b. 356, d. 386, Empress 379-386)Flacilla, as the first wife to Theodosius I “the Great,” is the co-founding mother of six generations of remarkable women who shaped the face of Western Europe and laid the...
5 Engrossing Short Story Collections Written by Women
5 Engrossing Short Story Collections Written by Women Features my collection: The Reluctant Groom and Other Historical Stories. Well that came out of the blue! EZVID Wiki Editorial put out a lovely video featuring the works of five women authors. They not only...
Book Review: The Black Count
The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo by Tom Reiss Blurb: "The Black Count is the remarkable true story of the real Count of Monte Cristo – a stunning feat of historical sleuthing that brings to life the forgotten hero...