Zenobia

In the first century AD, the kingdom of Palmyra, which had a capital city of the same name, came under Roman domination, but as a client state that was still largely under the power of its own aristocracy. However, when Roman influence in the area waned by the third century, so did its control over a number of other countries. Palmyra, which was now a powerful, flourishing region headed by Queen Zenobia, made the decision to take a gamble and rebel.

Zenobia, a talented tactician and strategist, desired to build an eastern empire akin to the one that existed during the height of Rome's power. She had already conquered Egypt by the year 270 and had shown to be a powerful opponent for the Roman army.

However, in the end, Queen Zenobia's army was unable to compete with the Roman war machine, which was still one of the most skilled armies at the time. In 272, the Roman emperor Aurelian Augustus invaded and conquered the city of Palmyra. Although some historians suggest she was captured and lived the remainder of her life as a Roman prisoner, records are unclear about what exactly happened to her.

Born: Septimia Btzby (Bat-Zabbai)c. 240Palmyra, Syria
Died: After 274

• Empress

Reign: AD 272
Co-monarch: Vaballathus

• Queen mother (regent) of Palmyra

Regency: 267–272
Monarch: Vaballathus

• Queen consort of Palmyra

Tenure: 260–267