Galla (wife of Eucherius)

Whilst little is known about the life of Galla, she is a significant late Roman woman since Paulinus of Nola addressed Epistola 51 to her and her husband, making her one of the few late Roman women known by name.[1] This letter is also one of the last known to be written by Paulinus.[2]

Galla was married to Eucherius, who became bishop of Lyons in 434.[1][3] They had two sons: Veranus and Salonius, who were born c.400.[4][5] According to some sources, they also had two daughters, Consortia and Tullia.[6] Galla's date of birth is unknown, but it could have been c.380.[7]

After their sons were born, Eucherius suggested that they alter their way of life to become more holy, leading the family to become religious ascetics together.[8][9] Galla and Eucherius' marriage evolved to run on ascetic principles, like other 'marriages of friendship' undertaken by other religious figures such as Paulinus and Therasia of Nola.[4] The Vita Sanctae Consortiae tells us that their religious conversion involved intense isolation.[4]

In the 420s monks from Lérins visited Paulinus and told him how Eucherius, Galla and their sons were living an ascetic and secluded life in the monastery there.[4] Both sons were later sent to visit Paulinus of Nola.[8] The family practised "unwealth" - where life was restricted to the minimum in order to support prayer and devotion.[10]

After the death of Galla, Eucherius retired to Lerins.[11] Since Epistola 51 was written in either 421 to 426, we can assume Galla died some time after then in the 420s.[2]