Women never enjoyed true freedom in the Roman Empire. However, nobility women were able to enjoy a certain freedom of movement, although it was more symbolic than real and they were always subject to the decisions of their fathers, husbands, brothers or sons.
A few women had the opportunity to exert a great influence on the men around them and, although they could not exercise power themselves, they did have the destiny of Rome in their hands, this is the case of Gala Placidia. Learn the history by Gala Placidia allows us to delve into one of the most important moments in European history. Well, Gala had to live in a Roman Empire on the verge of collapsing and saw how barbarians from the north took over the once flourishing Roman lands with great ease.
The date of Gala Placidia's birth is not known with certainty, but it is estimated that it was between the years 388 and 393 and her birthplace was Rome. She was the daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, one of the great Hispanic emperors, and his second wife Gala. She was orphaned at an early age, since her mother died as a result of a birth after Gala's. A year later his father Theodosius died. Upon his death, the Roman Empire was divided into two parts: the Eastern one for Arcadius and the Western one for Honorius.
Gala's maneuvers to favor her own children soon aroused suspicion at court, especially among the supporters of the young aspirant Arcadius who was "the magister officiorum" of Rufinus...
Article by: Edmundo Fayanás Escuer – History teacher.
