Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/728

714 public however was benefited by the vigourous wisdom of his sister, who, though only two years older, maintained, by meekness and discretion, that ascendant over him, which superior capacity always gives. She had devoted herself to a life of virginity, before she was quite fifteen, and persuaded her two younger sisters to do the same. At sixteen she took the name of Augusta; and, as she had always the prudence to preserve her brother's honour, she governed in his name with much success; for she was the only descendant of the great Theodosius who possessed any eminence of character. She was sincerely religious, and gave him the honour of completing the destruction of the idolatrous temples and worship, which was due to the spirit, firmness, and yet wise lenity of her measures.

That prudence which in others is the fruit of experience, was in Pulcheria the gift of nature. At one view, which was as sure as it was penetrating, she saw immediately how she ought to act, and executed her purposes with promptitude; she spoke and wrote elegantly in Greek and Latin. Adorned with all the graces of beauty, she resolved to consecrate herself to the service of God and the state, and divided her time between prayer, works of charity, and the affairs of the empire.

The eastern empire was agitated by factions, when first she stood at its helm; but it soon enjoyed a perfect peace under her wise administration. She taught her