The Augustae of the Theodosian Dynasty (379 - 455 CE): An Enquiry into their Portrayal by the Contemporary Textual Sources.
Between 379CE and 455CE seven female members of the Theodosian Imperial Family were elevated to the role of Augusta (Empress), thereby enhancing their ability to influence events and causing their deeds to be recorded by the contemporary historians, clergymen and poets. This dissertation explores the possibility that these male authors portrayed the Augustae in a way which adversely shaped public opinion at the time, and still colours our judgment today. It aims to gain a better understanding of these women by first identifying the personal pressures which may have caused the authors to misrepresent them, and then by investigating how the important issues of the day might have affected both the authors and the Augustae themselves. Concentrating on key factors in the lives of three Augustae: Eudoxia, Pulcheria and Galla Placidia, it makes a close study of the contemporary textual sources and then investigates each author's motives and the environment in which he lived and worked. Using modern scholarly research into the role of an Augusta, the lifestyle of women in Late Antiquity, and the effect of gender bias upon a male dominated society, it investigates how the social, religious and political issues which impacted on the life of an Augusta could be used, misused, or ignored by the male authors. It finds that all three Augustae were portrayed by the contemporary authors in a way which gives a misleading, and sometimes unfavourable, view of their conduct and achievements. The dissertation concludes that a better appreciation of the Augustae can be gained by studying the authors themselves, and considering the important issues of the day, rather than by relying solely on the contemporary texts.
D051 Hanes yr Henfyd, HQ Y teulu. Priodas. Benyw.
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