Palmyra and Zenobia

Palmyra is an oasis in the midst of the Syrian desert, grown rich on the caravans between Rome and Iran; its colonnades and the temple of Bel are built on the tolls from silk and incense. When Rome weakens in the crisis of the third century, the city's ruler Odaenathus takes on the defence of the eastern frontier, and after his murder power passes to his widow Zenobia. Within a few years she subdues Syria, Egypt and part of Asia Minor, mints her own coin and proclaims her son emperor. In 272 Aurelian destroys her army, takes Palmyra, and leads the queen in his triumph through Rome.