135. Helena: Queen of the World and Finder of the One True Cross

This Empire podcast episode interviews Peter Sarris, a professor of Late Antique, Medieval, and Byzantine Studies, about Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. The discussion begins by debunking common misconceptions about Helena's origins (e.g., not from Colchester), then explores her humble beginnings, her relationship with Constantine's father, and her rise to prominence after Constantine's ascension. The interview details Helena's role in the Christianization of the Roman Empire, including her involvement in building churches in the Holy Land and the legend of her discovery of the True Cross. Sarris highlights the evolving image of Helena, from a low-status woman to a powerful symbol of imperial piety and the ideal Roman matron. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of a significant, yet often overlooked, historical figure and the complex political and religious landscape of the 4th-century Roman Empire.