Paula (May 5, 347–Jan 26, 404 CE) was born in Rome to a wealthy senatorial family. Her mother, Blesilla, purportedly descended from the Gracchi and the Scipiones, while her father, Rogatus, traced his lineage back to Agamemnon (Jer. Ep. 108.1.1; 108.13.1). While little is known of Paula’s childhood, she married Iulius Toxotius in the 360s CE when she was still a young teenager. From this union resulted five children: Blesilla, Paulina, Eustochium, Rufina, and Toxotius.

In 381 CE, the death of her husband allowed …