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This study on Flavia Julia Helena Augusta, mother of Constantine the Great, is divided into two parts. The purpose of the first part is to ascertain the facts of Helena's life on the basis of reliable historical sources. The second part deals with the legends concerning the discovery of the True Cross in Jerusalem by Helena. Fact and fiction, which are so often confused in the secondary literature, are carefully distinguished. The first part deals with subjects like Helena's life before the reign of Constantine, her residences in Trier and Rome, her conversion, her position at the court of Constantine, and her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The second part investigates the origin, development and function of the legends of the discovery of the True Cross, which were developed in the 4th and 5th centuries: the Helena legend, the (Syriac) Protonike legend and the Judas Cyriacus legend. An appendix deals with the portraits of Helena.
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BRILL'S STUDIES IN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY General Editor A. J . VANDERJAGT, University of Groningen Editorial Board M . COLISH, Oberlin College J . I . ISRAEL, University College, London J . D . N O R T H , University of Groningen H . A . OBERMAN, University of Arizona, Tucson R . H . POPKIN, Washington University, St. Louis — U C L A V O L U M E 27 Bronze coin with the portrait of Helena and the legend FL. H E L E N A AUGUSTA, minted in Trier. T h e reverse shows a Securitas and the legend SECURITAS R E I P U B L I C E (see RIC VII, Trier 508, p. 212). HELENA AUGUSTA The Mother of Constantine the Great and the Legend of Her Finding of the True Cross BY JAN WILLEM DRIJVERS E.J. BRILL LEIDEN · NEW YORK · K0BENHAVN · KÖLN 1QQ9 The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Drijvers, J a n Willem. Helena Augusta: the mother of Constantine the Great and the legend of her finding of the true cross / by J a n Willem Drijvers. p. cm.—(Brill's studies in intellectual history; v. 27) Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)—Groningen, 1989. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 90-04-09435-0 (hard) 1. Helena, Saint, ca. 255-ca. 330. 2. Holy Cross—Legends. I. Title. II. Series. BR1720.H4D75 1991 270.1Ό92—dc20 [B] 91-19244 CIP ISSN ISBN 0920-8607 90 04 09435 0 © Copyright 1992 by E.J. Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or translated in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, microfiche or any other means without written permission from the publisher Authorization to photocopy items f or internal or personal use is granted by E. J. Brill provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, SALEM MA 01970, USA. Fees are subject to change. PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS CONTENTS Acknowledgements VII Abbreviations VIII Introduction 1 PART ONE: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. HISTORY Helena's life before the reign of Constantine Trier and Rome Helena's conversion Helena's position at the court of Constantine Helena's pilgrimage Helena's death PART Two: LEGEND I. II. III. IV. V. 9 21 35 39 55 73 The Helena legend The Cross in the fourth century The development of the Helena legend The sources of the Helena legend The Vita Constantini as a source for the Helena legend VI. The construction of the Helena legend VII. The Protonike legend VIII. The Judas Cyriacus legend 79 81 95 119 125 131 147 165 Epilogue 181 Appendix. Portraits of Helena 189