Zenobia

Abstract

Zenobia (ca. 240-ca. 274 CE), ruler of the important trading-centre of Palmyra, came to power in 267 as regent for her son Vaballathus when her husband Odaenathus and his eldest son were assassinated (Zos. 1.39.2). She claimed descent from Cleopatra VII, and Callinicus of Petra apparently dedicated a history of Alexandria to her as "Cleopatra" (Southern 2008: 97). She had an interest in Hellenic culture and surrounded herself with philosophers and poets, such as the sophist Cassius Longinus (Ball 2001: 79). Zenobia's rule was initially accepted by the Romans but led to a conflict with Rome when her troops successfully invaded Egypt (Zos. 1.44.1-45.1). By 272 Palmyrene armies controlled Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon, while the coinage minted at Antioch and Alexandria featured Vaballathus and Zenobia as "Augustus" and "Augusta" (Millar 1993: 172).