Editing Helena, mother of Constantine I (section)

== After Constantine's ascension to the throne ==

Constantine was proclaimed ''[[Augustus (title)|augustus]]'' (emperor) in 306 by Constantius' troops after the latter had died, and following his elevation his mother was brought back to the public life in 312, returning to the imperial court. She appears in the [[Eagle Cameo]] portraying Constantine's family, probably commemorating the birth of Constantine's son Constantine II in the summer of 316.{{efn|The cameo was incorporated in the rich binding of the [[Ada Gospels]]; the year 316 is argued in Stephenson 2010:126f.}}

She lived in the [[Horti Spei Veteris]] in Rome which she converted into an even more luxurious palace.

According to Eusebius, Helena was converted to Christianity by Constantine.{{sfn|Young|2006|p=6|loc=n. 24}} 

She was first given the title of ''nobilissima femina''. He later appointed her as ''[[List of Augustae|Augusta]]'' in 324, following the defeat of his rival [[Licinius]].<ref name=Drijvers1997>[https://roman-emperors.sites.luc.edu/helena.htm Jan Willem Drijvers, "Helena Augusta (248/249-328/329 A.D.)"]</ref> According to Eusebius, he gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury.<ref>Eusebius, ''Life of Constantine'' 3.47</ref>