Aelia Flaccilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aelia Flaccilla
Augusta of the Eastern Roman Empire
Bust thought to represent Flaccilla
Roman empress
Tenure	379–386
Born	Aelia Flaccilla
Died	early 386 (aged 30)
Burial	Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
Spouse	Theodosius I
Issue	Arcadius Honorius Pulcheria
Regnal name Aelia Flavia Flaccilla Augusta
Dynasty	Theodosian
Religion	Nicene Christianity

Aelia Flavia Flaccilla (died 386) was a powerful Roman empress. She was the first wife of Theodosius I, who became a famous Roman Emperor. Flaccilla came from Hispania, which is modern-day Spain.

During her marriage, she had two sons who would later become emperors themselves: Arcadius and Honorius. She also had a daughter named Aelia Pulcheria.

Her Family Background

Aelia Flavia Flaccilla was from Hispania. This is known from an old poem called Laus Serenae.

We know she had a nephew named Nebridius. He was the son of her unnamed sister. Nebridius married a woman named Salvina. They had a son and a daughter together.

Marriage and Children

Around the years 375 or 376, Flaccilla married Theodosius I. At that time, Theodosius was not in power. He was living a quiet life in a town called Cauca in Spain.

Their first son, Arcadius, was born before his parents became emperor and empress. Their second son, Honorius, was born later, on September 9, 384. Their daughter, Pulcheria, might have also been born before her parents rose to power. Sadly, Pulcheria died before her parents did.

Becoming Empress

In 378, the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, Valens, died in a big battle. His nephew, Gratian, who was emperor of the Western Roman Empire, then took control of the East.

On January 19, 379, Gratian chose Theodosius to be the new co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. Theodosius was a skilled Roman general. At this point, Aelia Flaccilla became the Empress. She was given the special title of Augusta. This title meant she was highly respected and had a special place in the empire.

Her Role as Empress

Empress Flaccilla was a strong supporter of the Nicene Creed. This was a set of beliefs that defined mainstream Christian faith at the time. She even stopped her husband, Emperor Theodosius, from meeting with a group of Christians who had different beliefs.

Important Christian leaders like Ambrose and Gregory of Nyssa praised her. They said she was a very virtuous Christian. They called her "a leader of justice" and a "pillar of the Church."

Another writer, Theodoret, wrote about her kindness. He said she personally helped people with disabilities. She believed that while emperors give money, she offered her own service to God. She said, "To distribute money belongs to the imperial dignity, but I offer up for the imperial dignity itself personal service to the Giver."

Empress Flaccilla passed away in early 386. Many historical writers mentioned her death. A building in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) was named the Palatium Flaccillianum in her honor. A statue of her was also placed in the Byzantine Senate.

A Saintly Empress

Aelia Flavia Flaccilla is honored as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Her special day of remembrance is September 14.

See also

In Spanish: Elia Flacila para niños