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.
For bonus episodes, ad-free listening, reading lists, book discounts, a weekly newsletter, and a chat community. Sign up at https://empirepod.supportingcast.fm/
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Assistant Producer: Anouska Lewis
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
119. The Last Shah
118. Iran's First Revolution
117. Nader Shah: The Sword of Persia
116. Isfahan: The City of Dreams
115. The Great Conversion: How Iran became Shia
114. The Persian Renaissance
113. Timur: Scourge of God
112. Ferdowsi: How One Poet Saved Persian Civilisation
111. Shackleton: The Hero of Antarctica
110. Antarctica: The Continent that wouldn’t be Conquered
109. The Endeavour: Into the Unknown
108. The Endeavour & the Great Southern Continent
107. China's Greatest Admiral: The Story of Zheng He
106. The Rise of Islam
105. The Last Great War of Antiquity
104. How Persian Religion Changed the World
103. Alexander the Great: Defeating Darius
102. Alexander the Great: The Conquest of Persia
101. Salamis: Athens’ Revenge
100. Thermopylae: Xerxes, Leonidas, and the 300
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Rest Is History
The Rest Is Money
Dan Snow’s History Hit
The News Agents
Newscast