What was the original name of Zenobia before she became known by that Greek name?
Her original name was Bat-Zabbai, which means daughter of Zabbai in Aramaic. This compound naming style referred to a family ancestor rather than an immediate father.
Questions about Zenobia
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Odaenathus die and how did power transfer occur according to George Syncellus?
Odaenathus died in 267 while returning from a military campaign near Heraclea Pontica. His eldest son also perished at that moment and soldiers handed the crown to his ten-year-old son Vaballathus within a single day.
Which cities fell under Palmyrene control during the spring of 270 and when did Egypt become part of the empire?
Palmyrenes conquered Bosra, Petra, Arabia, Judaea, Galatia, Ancyra, and Bithynia by August 271. Egypt became part of Palmyra by late 270 after Tenagino Probus committed suicide at Babylon Fortress.
Who were the intellectuals attracted to Zenobia's court and what religious groups found protection under her rule?
Longinus arrived as her tutor in paideia while Nicostratus wrote history covering Philip the Arab through Odaenathus. Christians, Jews, and Manichaeans found protection under her administration despite later accusations regarding Jewish ties.
How did Aurelian defeat Zenobia and where was she captured before crossing the Euphrates?
Aurelian defeated Zabdas at Immae about north of Antioch in May 272 and entered Syria by May 272. She fled on a female camel but was captured by Roman troops before crossing the Euphrates river.
What happened to Zenobia after her capture and how do modern scholars view her fate compared to ancient accounts?
Aurelian spared her life to parade her in his triumph of 274 and gave her a villa near Hadrian's complex in Tibur. Modern scholars generally accept she survived captivity though details remain unclear unlike Zosimus who claimed she died en route to Rome.