What is Zenobia?
[[File:Herbert Schmalz-Zenobia.jpg|thumb|200px]] '''Zenobia''' (240 – c. 275 {{lang-el|Ζηνοβία}}) was a [[queen]] who ruled in the 3rd century over the [[Palmyrene Empire]] in what is today [[Syria]]. She led a famous [[revolt]] against the [[Roman Empire]]. She was the second wife of King Septimius [[Odaenathus]]. Zenobia became queen of [[Palmyra]] after Odaenathus' death in 267. By 269, Zenobia had expanded the empire, taking over [[Egypt]] from the Romans. Tenagino Probus, the Roman governor, committed suicide after his failed attempt to recapture the territory. In 272 Zenobia declared herself Empress. She ruled over Egypt until 274, when she was defeated and taken as a [[hostage]] to Rome by Emperor [[Aurelian]]. Zenobia was [[Semitic people|Semitic]]. Many people think she was either [[Arab]], [[Jew]]ish or [[Arameans|Aramean]]. She gave her son an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] name but her family spoke the [[Aramaic language]], the language of the Arameans. She is known by other names, such as ''{{transl|ar|al-Zabbā’}}'' ({{lang|ar|الزباء}}) in Arabic sources, ''Zenobius'' in [[Latin]] sources and ''{{transl|arc|Bat Zabbai}}'' ({{lang|arc|בת זבי}}) in Aramaic sources. [[Category:240 births]] [[Category:Syrian people]] [[Category:Kings and queens]] {{bio-stub}}