Zenobia of Palmyra by marasop on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Zenobia, the sirian queen against Rome

She was the second wife of King Septimius Odaenathus, and became queen of the Palmyrene Empire following Odaenathus' death in 267.
Zenobia led a famous revolt against the Roman Empire. She had expanded the empire, conquering Egypt and expelling the Roman prefect, who was beheaded after he led an attempt to recapture the territory. She ruled over Egypt until 274, when she was defeated and taken as a hostage to Rome by Emperor Aurelian. She gaves a lot of troubles to the Roman Empire!

She also claimed to be a descendant of Cleopatra (by her daughter Cleopatra Selene), of Dido, queen of Carthage and Hannibal (by Juba II, husband of Cleopatra Selene), and of Sampsiceramus, founder of the Royal Family of Emesa (by Drusilla, grand daughter of Cleopatra Selene, who married with one of descendents of him).

some inspirations:
Zenobia, queen of Palmira: [link]
Zenobia in chains: [link]
Zenobia's bust: [link]

3th century AD

more about her: [link]