Aelia Eudocia

Aelia Eudocia (c. 400 in Athens, † October 20 460 in Jerusalem), prior to their baptism Athenaïs that of the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II, who reigned 408-450 wife.

Life

Athenaïs was born in Athens, the daughter of pagan rhetoric teacher Leontius and was considered highly educated. After the death of her father, she embraced the Christian faith and received at baptism the name Aelia Eudocia. This was a prerequisite for her marriage to Emperor Theodosius II The marriage took place on June 7, 421. 422 she gave birth Licinia Eudoxia, before 431 Flacilla; a son, Arcadius was probably also born, but died at a young age. 423 it was raised by Theodosius II to the rank of Augusta. During a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 438, in which it made ​​a great impression on the people, as she knelt before about the " grave of Christ," she brought the relics of St. Stephen and the chains of Peter to Constantinople Opel. Their influence on the emperor had reached at that time the climax, surpassing even the influence of the emperor's sister, who makes conscious Aelia Pulcheria. However, the relationship with her husband deteriorated over time. Probably due to palace intrigues, but possibly also on their own decision to go well, she traveled 443 again to Jerusalem, where she lived until her death on 20 October 460. Details about their departure from Constantinople Opel and the exact year are controversial in research.

Aelia Eudocia was instrumental in building the Christian University of Constantine Opel, which was built as a so-called Athenaeum in 424 based on Constantinian beginnings and as the first major mental performance rendered the collection of laws compilation of the Theodosian Code. Aelia Eudocia self-written spiritual seals which are partly preserved. They sympathized with the Miaphysitismus, but turned at the end of their lives to orthodoxy. In the Orthodox Church she is venerated as a saint, her feast day is August 13.

In Jerusalem, they left the city walls, which now next to the old City of David also enclosed Mount Zion, rebuild and founded hospitals, hostels for pilgrims, monasteries and churches. According to the historically unreliable Vita of Barsauma they should also have the Jews permitted greater freedom to visit the city on religious feast days, however, reported this no other source, any privileges are not used later. She was buried in Stephen Church ( immediately before the north gate located ), which she had founded.