The Palmyrene prince Odaenathus had proven himself Rome’s saviour in the East. However, when he was assassinated in 267 CE power fell to his widow, Zenobia, who was acting as regent for her son.
While Odaenathus was loyal to the Romans, Zenobia was decidedly less happy beneath their yoke. Thanks to its strategic location along a major trade route, the city of Palmyra had become incredibly wealthy; its architectural marvels were said to rival those of Rome itself. With an army of 70,000, she seized Syria, Egypt, Anatolia and Northern Arabia – thereby founding the Palmyrene Empire.
Her realm was a cosmopolitan one, where Greek, Roman and Syrian culture converged, and Pagans, Jews and Christians lived side by side. She famously protected the Bishop of Antioch, Paul of Samosata, who…