A beautiful pagan. A ruler searching for a wife. Can a marriage of expedience change the course of an empire? Constantinople, AD 419. Athenais holds faint hope for her future. When the impoverished orphan's male relatives offer her up as a consort for the emperor, she reluctantly agrees to study the philosophical arguments for the required conversion to Christianity. But while the accomplished scholar quickly falls for her imperial husband, she struggles with the court's cutthroat political maneuvering and stubborn religious fanaticism. Raised to Augusta after birthing her first daughter, Athenais consolidates her influence to build an entourage of skilled artists, writers, and thinkers, despite her jealous sister-in-law's protests. But just when the protective philosopher thinks she's won the fight for her spouse's respect and affection, a series of catastrophes threatens to undermine her hard-earned position. Can she withstand the storm and claim the throne she so rightly deserves? Rebel Empress is the insightful third tale in the Theodosian Women biographical historical fiction series. If you like learning about forgotten heroines and immersing yourself in past times, you'll love Faith L. Justice's path through tragedies and triumphs.