Zenobia, queen of Palmyra -

Sue M. Sefscik

Randon House

2006

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Zenobia was a third-century queen of Palmyra, a “warrior queen.” Zenobia led her people in a war against Rome, much like Boudica did in England. Zenobia appears to have been an Arab, although she may have had many other dashes of blood in her, including Aramaean. Palmyrene inscriptions are found in the Greek, Latin and Aramaic languages. Although Zenobia claimed to have been a descendent of Cleopatra (of Egypt), there appears to be no concrete evidence of that. She did, however, know the Egyptian language and had a strong predisposition towards the Egyptian culture. Her mother may have been Egyptian. By associating herself with a past, glorious woman warrior, Zenobia understood the power of good public relations.

Zenobia did indeed come from a long history of fabulous Syrian and Abyssinian queens, including the Queen of Sheba. The Assyrian records speak of troublesome Arab queens such as Zabibi, who revolted but was finally subjugated in 738 B.C. Through the years, many powerful queens ruled, both through their husbands and for their offspring. Julia Maesa ruled for her son the Emperor Alexander and accompanied him on a campaign in 234 A.D.