Eusebia

Eusebia was the wife of the emperor Constantius II and an influential empress of the fourth century. Later sources, especially Julian, praise her education, generosity and support for his elevation to Caesar, though her exact political role remains difficult to measure.

Eusebia was born in Thessaloniki. As empress, Eusebia repeatedly supported Julian when his position at the court of Constantius II was precarious and helped secure his appointment as Caesar in Gaul; Julian later praised her generosity and political assistance.

In Gore Vidal’s Julian, Philosophy, classical learning and the influence of figures such as Eusebia and Maximus of Ephesus shape his rejection of Christianity and his commitment to the traditional gods.