A calculating court. An empire at risk. With her child brother the new emperor, will her family survive his reign?
Constantinople, AD 404. Princess Pulcheria is terrified for the future. With her father's death leaving her seven-year-old brother as the new ruler, the astute girl fears the easily influenced boy will be destroyed by the whims of a manipulative aristocracy. Vowing to protect their family legacy, the young noble convinces the underage monarch to appoint her as the imperial regent.
Defending herself from duplicitous suitors, Pulcheria and her sisters escape marriage with a shocking vow, garnering favor with the people of Constantinople. But after her sibling comes of age, his ambitious wife and foolish support of heretics threaten to undo her plans to secure the empire's sovereign authority.
Can this shrewd young princess outmaneuver a palace filled with greedy, power-hungry men?
Dawn Empress
is the vivid second tale in the Theodosian Women biographical historical fiction series. If you like women who defined history, political scheming, and epic conflicts between family, church, and power, then you'll love Faith L. Justice's mesmerizing dive into Byzantine imperial life.