The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · Character
Pulcheria
Also known as Augusta Pulcheria, Saint Pulcheria, Empress Pulcheria
- Major
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 146
Pulcheria radiates the rare combination of youthful grace and ancient wisdom, as if the weight of empire has already settled behind her composed features. Her presence commands attention not through force, but through the quiet authority of someone born to rule.
- Gender
- female
- Age
- 16 at time of becoming Augusta
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 146
- Books
- 1
Pulcheria begins as the sixteen-year-old sister of Emperor Theodosius II, embracing celibacy and dedicating her virginity to God while inheriting what contemporaries called a manly spirit and abilities. Her elegant command of Greek and Latin, combined with wise governance, leads to her unanimous proclamation as Empress of the East. She later gives her hand to Marcian, maintaining her rank and virgin chastity, and becomes known as an imperial saint whose memory receives religious worship, ultimately choosing emperors after the Theodosian line.
Description
Pulcheria is a sixteen-year-old Eastern Roman empress with pale aristocratic skin and dark hair elegantly arranged in imperial style. She wears purple robes with gold embroidery that speak to her superior rank, her refined features and composed bearing suggesting both feminine grace and the masculine dignity for which she was renowned.
Story so far
BOOK 1The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire / Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes)
Appearances
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