Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Βυζαντινή ΙστορίαLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Author:
Papanikolaou Sergio-Raphael
Supervisors info:
Κατερίνα Νικολάου, Αναπλ. Καθηγήτρια Ιστορίας του Βυζαντινού Κράτους, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Σοφία Μεργιαλή-Σαχά, Αναπλ. Καθηγήτρια Ιστορίας του Βυζαντινού Κράτους, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Φιλοσοφική Σχολή, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Μαρία Λεοντσίνη, Κύρια Ερευνήτρια, Κύρια Ερευνήτρια, Τομέας Βυζαντινών Ερευνών, Ινστιτούτο Ιστορικών Ερεύνων, Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ερευνών
Original Title:
Η οικογένεια του Κωνσταντίνου Α΄: Πρόσωπα, πολιτική, νομοθεσία, στρατιωτική δράση
Translated title:
The Family of Emperor Constantine I: Personages, Politics, Legislation and Military Activity
Summary:
In the present thesis, I examine the lives and personalities of the members of Emperor Constantine I’s family, that is, his first and his second wife, his four sons and his two daughters, on an individual level. Particularly, in the cases of his sons, who were his colleagues or his successors in the governance of the Empire, I examine their political career, their legislative work and their military activity as well.
In the paper’s introduction, Constantine’s contribution to mankind, his activity as a military man, a legislator and a political design thinker, and his family status are described in a consice manner.
The paper’s first chapter is about Minervina, Constantine’s first wife, and an answer is provided for the question whether Minervina was Constantine’s wife or his concubine, as well as for the question whether Helena, Constantine’s mother, was his father’s, Constantius I’s, wife or concubine.
The paper’s second chapter is about Fausta, Constantine’s second wife. I attempt a description of the circumstances under which Constantine took her as a wife and a description of her life with Constantine.
The paper’s third chapter is about Crispus, Constantine’s eldest son. Among other things, I investigate the causes of his condemnation to death by his father. In the context of this discussion, I examine the deaths of Licinius II, nephew of Constantine, and Fausta, which are regularly ascribed to Constantine. An analytical examination of the sources, though, reveals an entirely different picture.
In the paper’s third chapter, the life and work of Constantius II, Constantine’s third son, are thoroughly examined. Constantius was his father’s predominant direct successor. Constantius’ childhood, his career in the governance of the Empire, his perennial struggles for the Empire’s defence against the attacks of its enemies on multiple fronts, his domestic life, his personality, his cultural work, his contribution to all fields of law, and his religious policy, are described in detail.
In the following chapters, the lives, personalities and works of Constantine’s lesser-known children are approached briefly, but as comprehensively as possible. These are: Constantine II, Constans, Constantina and Helena.
Finally, a summation of the conclusions for each member of Constantine’s family is made, and the relation of each of these persons to Constantine himself is highlighted.
The paper is enriched with rare depictions of Constantine and his family members.
Main subject category:
History
Keywords:
Roman Empire, Eastern Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Byzantium, Ancient History, Roman History, Byzantine History, Late Antiquity, Greece, Balkans, Europe, Italy, France, Britain, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovakia, Constantinople, Asia Minor, Asia Minor, Israel, Kurdistan, Egypt, Syria, Constantine, Constantius, Helena, Minervina, Fausta, Crispus, Constans, Constantina, Emperors, Politics, Law, Legislation, Army, International Relations, Theodosian Code, Justinian Code, Coins, Numismatics, Sculpture, Art, Religion, Christianity
