Zenobia's Palmyrene Empire — Queen of the East
Palmyra was an oasis city in the Syrian desert that grew rich on caravan trade between the Roman and Parthian/Sasanian empires. Queen Septimia Zenobia, widow of the general-king Odaenathus, served initially as regent for her young son. She was described as extraordinary: darkly beautiful, physically hardy, riding at the head of her cavalry, fluent in five languages, engaging in philosophical discussions in Greek and Latin. In 270 CE, exploiting the chaos of the crisis of the third century, Zenobia's general Zabdas conquered Egypt with 70,000 troops. She then moved into Asia Minor, reaching the Bosphorus. By 270 CE the Palmyrene Empire stretched from Egypt to much of Asia Minor. Aurelian arrived in 272 CE. The battle of Immae near Antioch was decided when Aurelian ordered his heavy cavalry to feign retreat; the Palmyrene armoured cavalry (cataphracts) pursued and tired themselves, then were counter-charged. The battle of Emesa followed, with a similar result. Aurelian besieged Palmyra. Zenobia fled toward Persia; she was caught at the Euphrates. Her chief minister and intellectual companion Cassius Longinus was executed. Zenobia herself was paraded through Rome — in golden chains, so heavy that soldiers had to support her — then retired to a villa at Tivoli.
- Year: 270 CE
- Category: Political
