The Roman Emperor Aurelian: Restorer of the World by John F White

Author:John F White [John F White]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

The Romans say I have only to bear a war against a woman, yet her forces are as great as a man’s. And what manner of woman! How wise in debates, how agreeable in disposition, how grave towards military matters, how bountiful, when the need may arise, how severe, when strictness requires. The peoples of the East and Egypt so feared her that neither Arabs, nor Saracens, nor Armenians, would wage war with her.

For a while the citizens of Palmyra were able to defy the besieging Roman army from their walled city, during which they hoped that the attackers would run out of supplies and have to retire. When it became clear that this would not happen, disputes arose within the city as to the best course of action, some advocating surrender trusting to Aurelian’s reputation for mercy; others wanting to seek aid from the Persian Empire. However, Shapur had died at about this time, and the Persians were distracted by disputes about the succession. Aurelian was able to suborn some of the Saracen and Armenian reinforcements to change sides and even employed some Persians as archers.

While these disputes were in progress, one of the city defenders made a habit of cat-calling at Aurelian from high up on the city walls, whenever the emperor came forward to review progress. One of his gifted marksmen told his superior: ‘Sir, I could get him!’ The archer fitted an arrow to his bow, shielded by other soldiers in front, drew a bead on the critic and let fly. The cat-caller fell dead from the battlements.

Eventually supplies within Palmyra became low and Zenobia herself mounted one of the swiftest dromedaries and fled eastwards in search of assistance. Again, the exits had not been well stopped by the besieging force; indeed, in this instance, their main preoccupation may have been with keeping intruders out from the city. The Roman light cavalry chased after Zenobia in hot pursuit and actually caught up with her just as she ran into a boat waiting on the river Euphrates. The soldiers dragged her off the boat and brought her back to an agreeably surprised Aurelian. Later, Zosimus tells us, he had second thoughts, reckoning that posterity would give him little credit for having conquered a mere woman.

After this setback, there remained for a while dissent within the city about whether or not to surrender. But finally Palmyra yielded to assurances from the emperor (c. August 272), and Zosimus gives an account of the fearful citizens emerging from the city gates with gifts and sacrifices for their conquerors. Yet Aurelian again showed clemency. He accepted the sacrifices and returned the gifts, although he did require payment of a large tribute. The people of Palmyra were allowed to return home to their city, and a Roman garrison was put in charge there. Palmyra was now to be ruled by Marcellinus, the Roman governor of the Euphrates border. A certain Sandario was appointed local commander at Palmyra of the garrison of 600 bowmen.

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