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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Palmyrene Empire
The Palmyrene Empire (260 - 273) was a
splinter empire that broke off the Roman Empire
during the Crisis of the Third Century. It
encompassed the Roman provinces of Syria,
Palestine, Egypt and large parts of Asia Minor.

Septimius Odaenathus decided to use the

substantial legions he had at his disposal among them the famed Legio XII Fulminata - to
defend his provinces, rather than intervene in the
struggles for Rome.

The Palmyrene Empire was ruled by Queen

Zenobia for her infant son Vaballathus. The
capital of the short-lived empire was the city of
Palmyra.

Crisis of the Third Century

Establishment of the Empire

Despite a number of crises, the Roman Empire

had stood firm since its inception under
Augustus. But after emperor Alexander Severus
was murdered by soldiers in 235, Roman legions
were defeated in a campaign against Sassanid
Persia, and the empire fell apart. General after
general squabbled over control of the empire, the
frontiers were neglected and subjected to
frequent raids by Carpians, Goths, Vandals and
Alamanni, and outright attacks from aggressive
Sassanids in the east.

Septimius Odaenathus was assassinated and his

son Vabalathus was made king (rex consul
imperator dux Romanorum, "illustrious King of
Kings" and corrector totius orientis) of the
Palmyrene Empire.

Finally, by 258, the attacks were coming from

within, when the Empire broke up in to three
separate competing states. The Roman provinces
of Gaul, Britain and Hispania broke off to form
the Gallic Empire.

Since Rome was unable to protect the eastern

provinces against the Sassanids, then-governor

The real power behind the throne was his mother

Zenobia. With the legions at her disposal, and
aided by the continuing struggle for Rome,
Zenobia conquered Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Asia
Minor and Lebanon. She even adopted the title
of Augustus for her son and herself.

Reconquest of Aurelian
In 270, Aurelian had become emperor, perhaps
the first capable emperor in 30 years. After
defeating the Alamanni, who were threatening to
invade Italy, Aurelian turned his attention to the
lost eastern provinces - the Palmyrene Empire.
Asia Minor was recovered easily; every city but
Byzantium and Tyana surrendered to him with
little resistance. The fall of Tyana lent itself to a
legend; Aurelian to that point had destroyed
every city that resisted him, but he spared Tyana
after having a vision of the great philosopher
Apollonius of Tyana, whom he respected
greatly, in a dream. Apollonius implored him,
stating: "Aurelian, if you desire to rule, abstain
from the blood of the innocent! Aurelian, if you
will conquer, be merciful!" Whatever the reason,

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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD
Aurelian spared Tyana. It paid off; many more
cities submitted to him upon seeing that the
emperor would not exact revenge upon them.
Aurelian defeated Queen Zenobia in the Battle of
Immae and again, decisively, in the Battle of
Emesa. Within six months, his armies stood at
the gates of Palmyra, which surrendered when
Zenobia tried to flee to the Sassanid Empire. The
"Palmyrene Empire" was no more.

After a brief clash with the Persians and another

in Egypt against usurper Firmus, Aurelian
returned to Palmyra in 273 when it rebelled
again. This time, Aurelian allowed his soldiers to
sack the city, and Palmyra never recovered from
this. He was known as Parthicus Maximus and
Restitutor Orientis ("Restorer of the East").
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyrene_Empire

PERSONALITIES
Odaenathus
His full name was Lucius Septimius Odainath.
His gentilicium Septimius shows that his family
received the Roman citizenship under an
emperor of the Severan dynasty, and thus it was
the leading family in Palmyra since the 190s. He
was the son of Lucius Septimius Herod (Hairan), the "senator and chief of Tadmor", the son of
Vaballathus (Wahballath), the son of Nasor.
The year when Odaenathus became chief of
Palmyra is not known, but already in an
inscription dated 258 he is styled "the illustrious
consul our lord" (N.S.I. No. 126). In his wife, the

renowned Zenobia, he found an able supporter of

his policy.
The defeat and captivity of the emperor Valerian
in 260 left the eastern provinces largely at the
mercy of the Persians; the prospect of Persian
supremacy was not one which Palmyra or its
ruler had any reason to desire. At first, it seems,
Odaenathus attempted to propitiate the Persian
monarch Shapur I; but when his gifts were
contemptuously rejected (Petr. Patricius, 10) he
decided to throw in his lot with the cause of
Rome. The neutrality which had made Palmyra's
fortune was abandoned for an active military
policy which, while it added to Odaenathus's
fame, in a short time brought his native city to its
ruin. He fell upon the victorious Persians
returning home after the sack of Antioch, and
before they could cross the Euphrates inflicted
upon them a considerable defeat.
Then, when two usurping emperors were
proclaimed in the East (261), Odaenathus took
the side of Gallienus the son and successor of
Valerian, attacked and put to death the usurper
Quietus at Emesa (modern Homs) and was
rewarded for his loyalty by the grant of an
exceptional position (262). He may have
assumed the title of king before; but he now
became totius Orientis imperator, not indeed
joint-ruler, nor Augustus, but independent
lieutenant of the emperor for the East
(Mommsen, Provinces, ii. p. 103).
In a series of rapid and successful campaigns,
during which he left Palmyra under the charge of
Septimius Worod his deputy (N.S.I. Nos. 127129), he crossed the Euphrates and relieved
Edessa, recovered Nisibis and Carrhae (modern
Harran). He even took the offensive against the
power of Persia, and twice invested the Persian
capital Ctesiphon itself; probably also he brought
back Armenia into the Empire. These successes
restored the Roman rule in the East; and
Gallienus did not disdain to hold a triumph with
the captives and trophies which Odaenathus had
won (264). Odaenathus celebrated his victories
in the East sharing with his eldest son Hairan
(Herodes) the eastern title "king of kings".

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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD
While observing all due formalities towards his
overlord, there can be little doubt that
Odaenathus aimed at forging an independent
empire; but during his lifetime no breach with
Rome occurred. He was about to start for
Cappadocia against the Goths when he was
assassinated, together with Hairan, by his
nephew Maeonius. There is no reason to suppose
that this deed of violence was instigated from
Rome.
According to Historia Augusta, Maeonius killed
Odaenathus and his son Hairan during a
celebration, because of a conspiracy organized
by Zenobia, second wife of Odaenathus, who
wanted their son Vaballathus to succeed
Odaenathus instead of Hairan (who was the son
of Odaenathus by another woman). According to
Gibbon, the murder was revenge for a short
confinement imposed by Odaenathus to
Maeonius for being unrespectful. After his death
(266-267), Zenobia succeeded to his position and
practically governed Palmyra on behalf of the
young Vaballathus.

Zenobia conquered new territories and increased

the Palmyrene Empire in the memory of her
husband and as a legacy to her son. Her stated
goal was to protect the Eastern Roman Empire
from the Sassanid Empire, for the peace of
Rome, however, her efforts significantly
increased the power of her throne.
In 269, Zenobia, her army, and the Palmyrene
General Zabdas violently conquered Egypt with
help from their Egyptian ally, Timagenes, and
his army. The Roman prefect of Egypt, Tenagino
Probus and his forces, tried to expel them from
Egypt, but Zenobia's forces captured and
beheaded Probus. She then proclaimed herself
Queen of Egypt.
After these initial forays, Zenobia became
known as a "Warrior Queen". In leading her
army, she displayed significant prowess: she was
an able horse rider and would walk three or four
miles with her foot soldiers.

Zenobia
Zenobia married King of Palmyra Septimius
Odaenathus by 258 as his second wife. She had a
stepson Hairan, a son from Odaenathus first
marriage. As in 258, there is an inscription the
illustrious consul our lord at Palmyra, dedicated
to Odaenathus who was chief of Palmyra, by
Zenobia, who was a supporter of his.
Around 266, Zenobia and Odaenathus had a son,
his second child, Lucius Iulius Aurelius
Septimius Vaballathus Athenodorus. Her son
Vaballathus (Latin from Arabic, Wahballa-t
"Gift of the Goddess") inherited the name of
Odaenathus paternal grandfather.
In 267, Zenobias husband and stepson were
assassinated. The titled heir, Vaballathus, was
only a year old, so his mother succeeded her
husband and ruled Palmyra. Zenobia bestowed
upon herself and her son the honorific titles of
Augusta and Augustus.

Zenobia with her large army made expeditions

and conquered Anatolia as far as Ancyra or
Ankara and Chalcedon, then to Syria, Palestine,
and Lebanon. In her short lived empire, Zenobia
took the vital trade routes in these areas from the

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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD
Romans. Roman Emperor Aurelian, who was at
that time campaigning with his forces in the
Gallic Empire, probably did recognise the
authority of Zenobia and Vaballathus. However
this relationship began to degenerate when
Aurelian began a military campaign to reunite
the Roman Empire in 272-273. Aurelian and his
forces left the Gallic Empire and arrived in
Syria. The forces of Aurelian and Zenobia met
and fought near Antioch. After a crushing defeat,
the remaining Palmyrenes briefly fled into
Antioch and into Emesa.
Zenobia was unable to remove her treasury at
Emesa before Aurelian successfully entered and
besieged Emesa. Zenobia and her son escaped
from Emesa on camel back with help from the
Sassanids, but they were captured on the
Euphrates River by Aurelians horsemen.
Zenobias short lived Egyptian kingdom and the
Palmyrene Empire had ended. The remaining
Palmyrenes who refused to surrender were
captured by Aurelian and were executed on
Aurelians orders. Among those who were
executed was Zenobia's chief counselor and
Greek sophist, Cassius Longinus.
Zenobia and Vaballathus were taken as hostages
to Rome by Aurelian. Vaballathus is presumed
to have died on his way to Rome. In 274,
Zenobia appeared in golden chains in Aurelians
military triumph parade in Rome. Aurelian, out
of clemency, impressed by her beauty and
dignity, freed Zenobia. Aurelian granted her an
elegant villa in Tibur (modern Tivoli, Italy).
She lived in luxury and she became a prominent
philosopher, socialite and Roman matron.
Zenobia married a Roman governor and senator
whose name is unknown. They had several
daughters, whose names are also unknown, but
who are known to have married into Roman
noble families. There is a claim, after Aurelians
defeat Zenobia committed suicide, however, this
is not likely. She would have further descendants
surviving in the 4th century and 5th century.

Tyria Nepotilla Odaenathiania contains the

names of her first husband Septimius
Odaenathus. He probably was named in the
honor of Zenobia's first husband. (After the
deaths of Odaenathus and his sons, Odaenathus
had no descendants). Another possible
descendant of Zenobia is Saint Zenobius of
Florence, a Christian bishop who lived in the 5th
century.

SPECIAL RULES
SUPERIOR CAVALRY
Superior cavalry may re-roll missed to hit rolls
on the first round of combat when they charge or
counter charge
CATAPHRACT
May count a rank bonus up to a maximum of
+2. If they wheel more than 1 during the
Movement phase, Cataphracts may only move at
their normal Movement rate.
SPECIAL DEPLOYMENT
May make a free march move prior to the 1st turn
FEIGNED FLIGHT
When fleeing or firing and fleeing as a charge
reaction the unit automatically rallies at the end
of its flee move, before any charging unit makes
contact.
VETERANS
May reroll once all to-hit rolls per battle.
HORSE BOW
Range 16 Str 3, -1 to enemy saves

The evidence of a descendant of Zenobia can be

confirmed by an inscription found in Rome. The
inscription Lucius Septimia Patavinia Balbilla
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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD
CAVALRY

ARMY COMPOSITION

1+ CATAPHRACTS

CHARACTERS: Up to 25%
CAVALRY: At least 15% and up to 50%
INFANTRY: At least 25% and up to 85%
SPECIAL: Up to 33%

Cataphract

M
8

WS
4

BS
3

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
3

A
1

Ld
8

Equipment: Heavy armour, kontos, horse

May have, Barding (+4), Buckler (+1)

CHARACTERS

Special Rules: Cataphracts, Superior Cavalry

Palmyrans were almost the last western nation to make
heavy use of true Cataphract, noble warriors in all
enclosing armour, riding similarly armoured horses, and
armed with Kontos and side arm.

0-1 GENERAL
M
8

General

WS
4

BS
5

S
3

T
4

W
3

I
5

A
2

Ld
9

Pts
140

HORSE ARCHER

Equipment: Horse, hand weapon

May have light armour (+2), heavy armour (+3). Horse
(free) which may have barding (+4) Kontos (+1). May
upgrade to Ld10 for +25 pts

HERO
M
8

WS
4

BS
5

S
3

T
4

W
2

I
5

A
2

Ld
8

Pts
80

T
3
3

W
1
1

I
3
3

A
1
1

Ld
7
8

0-1 WARBANNER
BS
4

M
6

WS
3

BS
3

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
3

A
1

Ld
7

Pts
16

Equipment: Short bow, throwing spear, Shield

S
3

T
4

W
2

I
4

A
2

Ld
8

Pts
85

Special Rules: Camels

Palmyrans were often associated with desert nomadic
Arabs who would have supplied Camel riding allies for
Palmyra.

Equipment: Hand weapon

May have light armour (+2), heavy armour (+3). Horse
(free) which may have barding (+4)
Special Rules: Army Standard

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Pts
16
19

CAMEL SCOUTS
Scout

WS
4

S
3
3

Palmyrans used several types of horse archers, few had

the skilled of true nomads like the Parthians, but some
were noted as being well equipped and skilled scouts.

May be upgraded to Army General (+25)

M
8

BS
3
3

Special Rules: Light Cavalry, Scouts: Special Deployment

and Feigned Flight

Equipment: Hand weapon

May have light armour (+2), heavy armour (+3). Horse
(free) which may have barding (+4) Kontos (+1).

Warbanner

WS
3
3

Equipment: Horse bow, hand weapon, horse

May have shield (+1), throwing spear (+1),scouts may
have light armour (+2)

Special Rules: Army General

Noble

M
8
8

Archer
Scout

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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD
INFANTRY

Palmyrans generals took command of the Legions left in

the east while roman emperors squabbled over Rome;
these were loyal until the arrival of Aurelian. Some of
these legions would be experienced veterans from the
battles against the Sassanids.

ARCHERS
Archers

M
4

WS
3

BS
3

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
3

A
1

Ld
7

Pts
6

Equipment: Bow, hand weapon

May have buckler (+1) 2 units may have light armour (+2)
Any unit without light armour may be skirmishers
(upgrade to Move 5) (free)
Palmyrans infantry were usually archers who were held in
fairly high regard, as a wealthy trading city it is likely that
Palmyra would have been able to supply at least some of
its troops well.

AUXILIARIES
Auxilia

M
4

WS
3

BS
3

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
3

A
1

Ld
7

Pts
9

Equipment: Large shield, Javelins, throwing spear

May have thrusting spear instead of throwing spear (free)
May have Light Armour (+2) May be light infantry (free)
may be Drilled (+1)

0-1 CATAPHRACT CAMEL

SPEARMEN
Spearmen

M
4

Cataphract

WS
3

BS
3

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
3

A
1

Ld
7

Pts
6

Equipment: Javelins, hand weapon, shield

May have Throwing or thrusting Spear (+1) and light
armour (+2)
Any unit without light armour may be skirmishers
(upgrade to move 5) (free)

M
6

WS
3

BS
3

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
3

A
1

Ld
8

Equipment: Camel, heavy armour, kontos

May have barding (+4)
Special Rules: Camels, Cataphracts

BALISTAE (as per Rulebook)

SCORPIOS (as per Rulebook)

SPECIAL
LEGIONARIES
Raw
Steady
Veteran

M
4
4
4

WS
3
4
4

BS
3
3
3

S
3
3
3

T
3
3
4

W
1
1
1

I
3
4
4

A
1
1
1

Ld
7
7
8

Pts
10
12
15

Equipment: Large shield, pilum, hand weapon.

May have Light Armour(+2) Heavy Armour (+3) Javelins
(+1) be Stubborn (+3) Drilled (+1)
Instead of a leader Legion units have Centurions who cost
10 points and add 1 to the units Ld.
Every second unit may be Lanciarrii who substitute
throwing spears for pilums and are light infantry.
0 -1 unit may be Palestinian clubmen who have 2-handed
weapons instead of pilum (+1)
Special Rules: Veterans are Veterans

BATTLES
Battle of Immae (272AD)
(272AD)
The Battle of Immae was fought in 272 between
the Roman army of Emperor Aurelian and the
armies of Palmyrene Empire, whose leader,
Queen Zenobia was perceived as a threat by
Rome.
The Palmyrene heavy cavalry, the clibanarii, was
superior to the Roman cavalry. Thus, Aurelian
ordered his infantry to withdraw, and ordered his
cavalry to pretend to flee when the clibanarii
charged. Soon, the clibanarii, weighed down by
their heavy armour, became exhausted from
pursuing the light Roman cavalry. This was

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PALMYRENE EMPIRE 260 273 AD
when the Romans turned about and won the
Battle of Immae.

Euphrates. Aurelian showed her mercy, and

Zenobia was not executed.

After Aurelian won the battle, Zenobia and her

general Zabdas entered in Antioch, bringing a
man resembling Aurelian in chains. During the
night, the Palmyrene fled the city, leaving a
small unit on a close hill, which was later
defeated by an Aurelian unit adopting the testudo
formation.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Emesa

REFERENCE WORKS

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Immae

Battle of Emesa (272AD)

(272AD)
The Battle of Emesa was fought in 272 between
Roman and Palmyran forces. The Romans were
led by Emperor Aurelian, while the Palmyrans
were led by Queen Zenobia and her general
Zabdas.
Aurelian had started a campaign to reconquer the
secessionist Palmyrene Empire, led by
Vaballathus and his mother Queen Zenobia. He
had come to the East willing to show his mercy
to the Roman peoples of the area, and had
defeated Zenobia at the battle of Immae, near
Antioch. Zenobia and her general Zabdas fled to
Emesa.
Roman and Palmyrene forces clashed in the
plain in front of the city. As at Immae, the
Palmyrene heavy cavalry (the clibanarii) was
superior to the Roman equivalent. However, the
clibanarii dispersed in the pursuit of the Roman
cavalry, and were massacred by the Roman
infantry. According to Zosimus, the Palestinian
units, with their clubs, slaughtered the armoured
Palmyrene horsemen.
Zenobia retreated into Emesa, but later escaped
to Palmyra, having failed to recover the treasure
from Emesa. While Aurelian attacked and
conquered Palmyra, Zenobia flew to Persia, but
was captured when she had reached the

INTERNET LINKS
WAB Forum
http://wabforum.co.uk

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyrene_Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odaenathus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurelian

Others
http://www.roman-emperors.org/zenobia.htm

MANUFACTURER
www.aandaminiatures.co.uk
www.oldgloryminiatures.com/
www.hinchliffe.co.uk/

SPECIAL THANKS
Many thanks to WAB Forum members for providing the
template and their great suppor

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