Zenobia of Palmyra

The Queen Who Almost Broke Rome tells the story of Zenobia, a formidable monarch of Palmyra who expanded her empire across the Eastern Mediterranean during Rome’s turbulent third century. Through detailed exploration of Palmyra’s rise, her military campaigns, and her eventual capture, the book provides a balanced, source-aware account of her extraordinary reign and legacy. It also examines the broader context of Rome’s vulnerabilities and the enduring fate of Palmyra’s ruins, emphasizing the complex and often contradictory historical record surrounding Zenobia.