Zenobia — Queen of Palmyra

Zenobia was born around 240 CE in Palmyra, and was the wife of King Odaenathus. When Odaenathus died around 267 CE, Zenobia became regent for their son Vaballathus (Wahballat) — but ruled in her own right.

She expanded the Palmyrene kingdom into what amounted to a short-lived empire: she took Egypt in 270 CE, Antioch, and parts of Asia Minor. She proclaimed herself "Queen of the East" and took the Roman imperial title Augusta on her coinage. She rejected Roman authority and had herself inscribed as the heir of all the East.

The Roman emperor Aurelian responded with a major campaign in 272 CE — defeating Zenobia at the battles of Antioch and Emesa (Homs), then besieging Palmyra and later destroying it. Zenobia was captured and taken to Rome in a triumphal procession, then exiled to Tibur (Italy), where she lived until her death around 274 CE.

Zenobia is one of the most striking female figures in ancient history. Palmyra — the desert oasis — survived as dramatic ruins until ISIS destroyed parts of it in 2015.