Zenobia, Warrior Queen, ruled the Palmyrene Empire in Syria during the third century. She took over governance after her husband and his son from his first wife were assassinated in 267. The remaining heir was one year old so Zenobia ruled in his stead. In her husband’s memory and for her son’s future, she expanded Palmyrene empire into Egypt and Anatolia, which is modern Turkey. After a five year rule in Egypt, the Roman Emperor Aurelian defeated her and took her hostage. She is depicted in chains below as she looks over the City of Rome.
What happened to Zenobia once she arrived in Rome is not clear. Some stories have her dying soon after her arrival, be it from her own hand through a hunger strike or a beheading by the Romans. Other stories have Aurelian impressed by her, and thus gifted her freedom and a villa in Tivoli.
Just for fun for Conan the Barbarian fans out there. Zenobia is the name of slave girl who frees Conan and becomes his queen in the Robert E. Howard books.
I hope you enjoyed the A to Z challenge. This is the last post for that event. I’ll be back blogging about sexy books, woman’s empowerment, and the sweet challenges of motherhood. Come chat.
