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November 2015 Vol. 53 No. 3

Salisbury (Univ. of Wisconsin, Green Bay) tells much of Placidia’s story by weaving a broad political and religious context, using varied ancient sources to fill gaps imaginatively.  The empress, the daughter of Theodosius, led a fascinating life and remained powerful through decades of political and religious turmoil.  She was taken hostage as a girl by the Goths when they sacked Rome in 410, and later married a Gothic king.  Often focusing on other people around Placidia, Salisbury brings emotions and opinions to life.  She illuminates early church debates in the context of imperial court machinations and synthesizes complex points concisely.  She shows how Theodosius's legislation to protect his dynasty opened the door for powerful female relatives, as did the Church’s growing acceptance of strong, pious women.  Although Salisbury widely cites modern and ancient sources, information about ancient authors is needed, and sometimes she provides no source, or a modern source for an ancient quotation.  To follow thematic threads, the author jumps geographically and chronologically, which can make it difficult to keep contemporaneous events in mind.  Maps and figures are helpful, not a major contribution.  A useful, scholarly, and engaging examination of Placidia and late antiquity.

--S. Brown, J. Paul Getty Museum

Summing Up: Recommended. Most levels/libraries.