HELENA VILISSIMA’DAN HELENA GENETRIX’E: CONSTANTINUS’UN PROPAGANDASINDA AUGUSTA HELENA

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 87 - 106, 26.07.2025

Ceren Pilevneli-çubuk

https://doi.org/10.30517/cihannuma.1721269

Abstract

İmparator Constantinus’un annesi Helena, dönemin siyasi propagandasında ve dolayısıyla Hristiyanlaşma sürecinde önemli bir rol üstlenmesine rağmen, bu dönemin tarihsel anlatısında çoğunlukla arka planda kalmıştır. Helena’nın 326–328 yıllarına tarihlenen Doğu veya Filistin seyahati ile sonraki dönemde bu seyahat ile bağlantılı olarak ortaya çıkan Kutsal Haç’ın keşfi mitinin tarihsel gelişimi genellikle onun hakkında yapılan çalışmaların ana eksenini oluşturmaktadır. Oysa, Constantinus’un hem Hristiyanlık etrafında oluşturduğu hem de bilhassa imparatorluğun tek yöneticisi haline geldiği 324 yılından sonra hanedan temelli olarak yeniden dizayn ettiği propagandasında Helena’nın da politik ve dini manada edindiği rolün dönüştüğü görülmektedir. Bu bağlamda Helena, mütevazi kökenli bir kadından (vilissima), hanedanın meşruiyetini simgeleyen dindar bir figüre (genetrix) dönüşmüştür. Bu çalışma, Helena’nın Constantinus’un imparatorluk politikası ve propagandasındaki yerini incelemekte, Filistin seyahatinin yalnızca kişisel bir hac yolculuğu değil aynı zamanda Constantinus’un geliştirdiği devlet politikasının bir uzantısı olduğunu öne sürmektedir. Helena etrafında Kutsal Haç’ın keşfi anlatısı üzerinden şekillenen efsane ve mitler ise, Helena’nın ölümünden sonra “ideal Hristiyan imparatoriçe” modeline dönüşme süreci bağlamında ele alınmaktadır.

Keywords

Helena , Constantinus , Roma İmparatorluğu , Hristiyanlık , Filistin.

Project Number

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FROM HELENA VILISSIMA TO HELENA GENETRIX: HELENA AUGUSTA IN THE PROPAGANDA OF CONSTANTINE

Abstract

Despite the significant role played by Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, in the Christianization of the Roman Empire, she has often remained relegated to the background in the historical narratives of this period. The historical development of the myth surrounding the discovery of the True Cross, linked to Helena’s journey to the East or Palestine around 326–328 CE, has typically constituted the central focus of scholarly research on her. However, it is apparent that Helena’s political and religious role evolved within Constantine’s propaganda, which was not only centered on Christianity but was also reorganized along dynastic lines, particularly after he became the sole ruler of the empire in 324 CE. In this context, Helena transformed from a modest woman of humble origins (vilissima) into a figure symbolizing the legitimacy of the dynasty (genetrix). This study examines Helena’s position within Constantine’s imperial policies and propaganda, arguing that her journey to Palestine was not merely a personal pilgrimage but also an extension of the state policy developed by Constantine. The legends and myths formed around Helena through the narrative of the discovery of the True Cross are considered within the framework of her posthumous transformation into the model of the “ideal Christian empress.”

Keywords

Helena , Constantinus , Roma İmparatorluğu , Hristiyanlık , Filistin.

Project Number

-

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