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PALMYRA LINKS:
Significant Event:
Famous Way Station for Caravans
Flourished under Roman Control
Main Cities: Palmyra (Pictures);
Sela Time: 1200-800 BC
Language: Aramaic;
Greek
Personage: Solomon;
Zenobia
Religion: Palmyra Gods
Related Country: Syria Brief History:
I have included only a few items concerning the history of this kingdom. A good source for more details can be
found on Wikipedia or in history books.
Click Map to Enlarge
EARLY ERA KINGDOM:
Anciently, Palmyra was an important caravan city that was mentioned in the archives of
Mari. It often retained autonomy in the midst of more
powerful states and empires. The Hebrew Bible (Second Chronicles 8:4) mentioned that King
Solomon of Israel
fortified the city. The Seleucid Empire
conquered Syria in 323 BC, but allowed Palmyra to retain independence. The city largely was nomadic
until circa 50 AD, when it became an elegant city and became part of the
Roman Empire.
PALMYRENE EMPIRE (260-273 AD):
Between 260 and 273 AD, Queen Zenobia ruled the short-lived, splinter
Palmyrene Empire, with a capital at
Palmyra. She was able to gain territory after soldiers murdered
the Roman emperor, Alexander Severus, and the
Sassanid Empire defeated Roman legions.
In 258 AD, the Roman Empire fragmented into three major components, one being the Palmyrene Empire.
Governor Lucius Septimius Odaenathus used his
forces to resist Sassanid incursions. A nephew murdered Odaenathus and his son, but Zenobia (a second wife) ruled
in the name of young son, Vaballathus. In 270 AD, Aurelian became
the Roman emperor and recovered eastern territory. His forces defeated general
Zabdas (a former slave who commanded Zenobia's army) in
the battles of Immae and Emesa (aka Homs).