Born in poverty at a time when the Roman Empire was in danger of cracking up and disintegrating, Helena was set for a life of obscurity as a stable hand, bar maid, and, according to some, a prostitute. Yet, in the most improbable tale she rose through the social hierarchy to be proclaimed Empress, then later canonised, and declared by some as queen of the world. Not only was she mother and most trusted advisor to the Emperor Constantine, but she played a pivotal role in the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity. Whilst on pilgrimage in the Middle-East she was said to have discovered the one true cross and helped to set a template for Christian pilgrimages that would last for centuries. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Peter Sarris to discuss St Helena and her unprecedented rise through Roman society to the position of supreme power.
A key source for St Helena's life is Helena Augusta: Mother of the Empire, by Julia Hillner.
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Twitter: @Empirepoduk
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Assistant Producer: Anouska Lewis
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
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148. America: The Empire of Liberty
147. Queen Victoria: Empress of India (Ep 4)
146. Queen Victoria: The Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets (Ep 3)
145. Victoria & Albert (Ep 2)
144. The Making of Queen Victoria (Ep 1)
143. Isabella of Castile: The Spanish Inquisition, the conquest of Granada, and Columbus
142. Isabella of Castile: Uniting Spain
141. Nur Jahan: The Most Powerful Mughal Woman
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139. Mrs Genghis Khan
138. The Graceful Reed: Ruling the Islamic Empire
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134. Cleopatra: The Would-Be Empress of Rome
133. Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile
132. Journey to Nalanda and the Library of Jewels
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