"Hard to find another woman like her": Constantine's Empress Fausta

Abstract

Discussion of the Empress Fausta, wife of Constantine, has in the past concentrated largely on theories about her death. This article follows current trends on Late Antique empresses by examining the clues about her life and activities. It demonstrates her role in helping Constantine assert his imperial legitimacy, and suggests an involvement in church affairs and patronage of buildings. In all, she had more visibility in the public sphere than she is often credited with.