The Palmyrene Empire: Trade, War, and Queen Zenobia

Trade Routes That Changed Human History Forever — Fexingo History · May 6, 2026 · 6m · transcript

Explore the rise and fall of Palmyra, a wealthy caravan city in the Syrian desert that became a brief empire under Queen Zenobia in the 3rd century CE. This episode dives into how Palmyra's merchants controlled trade routes between Rome and Parthia, accumulating immense wealth that funded a formidable army. We examine the political crisis of the Roman Empire during the Third Century Crisis, which allowed Palmyra to break away and conquer vast territories from Anatolia to Egypt. Discover the remarkable story of Zenobia, who claimed descent from Cleopatra and Dido, and her defiance of…