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Within the unforgiving and infertile Syrian Desert lies the lush oasis of Palymra, City of the Palms. Human presence in the region predates recorded history. According to biblical accounts, Israel’s King Solomon founded the original city fort, Tadmor. At least as early as 2nd millennium BC, the oasis served as a rest stop for camel caravans travelling between the orient and the Mediterranean. By turn of the 2nd millennium BC, Palymra profited off of Rome’s growing appetite for products from Persia, India, and China. Palmyra grew into a grand metropolis of blended Roman, Hellenistic, and Persian architectural styles. In ancient Palymra, one could purchase or trade exotic goods such as spices, silks, precious stones, and slaves. Despite a meager five inches annual rainfall, the surrounding lands supported a few dozen farming villages, due to a recently uncovered, extensive network of made-made reservoirs and channels. The locals grew many crops, such as olives, figs, pistachios, and barley. Ancient Palymra was an eclectic place.
Increasingly, Palymra’s prosperity drew Rome’s attention, and by Emperor Tiberius’ time it officially fell under the Empire’s domain. This marked initiation of prolonged and prodigious construction, including walled fortifications, aqueducts, theatres, and an immense, gilt-roofed temple dedicated to the Babylonian god Ba'al, all accessed by an almost mile-long colonnade lined by no fewer than seven hundred and fifty columns. It has been remarked that ancient Palmyra markedly influenced the evolution of neoclassical architecture and modern urbanization. Over the next several centuries, Palmyrene suzerainty alternated between semi-automomy and direct Roman rule. Revenues from trading fees and taxes kept the region thriving, even when the Empire descended into the Crisis of the Third Century.
Hostilities between the Romans and Persians destabilized the region, particularly after Augustus Valerian fell into the grasp of Sassanid King Shapur I. Probably even before Valerian’s demise, Palmyrene leader Lucius Septimius Odaenathus - after a failed attempt to bribe the Sassanids - had already gone on the offensive (after all, a city overrun with Persian soldiers would be bad for business). Odaenathus fought the looting-crazed Sassanids for several years, scoring some surprisingly impressive victories. Meanwhile, Valerian’s son Gallienus, now sole official Augustus, was preoccupied with a massive barbarian incursion that threatened Rome. Thus, the time was ripe in in 260 AD for the brotherly pair of usurpers Quietus and Macrinus to claim the throne in the east. Their effort, fueled by their father’s machinations, did not last for very long. By 261 AD, Macrinus died attempting to challenge Gallienus in the west, and Quietus fell in the east, murdered by the savy Odaenathus. Grateful Augustus Gallienus bestowed upon Odaenathus the prodigious title of Corrector Totius Orientis (basically, governor of the east, serving as the Augustus’ independent lieutenant).
Although Odaenathus never claimed the title of Emperor, he met a conforming end: murdered by a usurping relative, who in turn was murdered. Rule was now up to Odaenathus’ young son Vabalathus, and his mother, Zenobia. Gallienus (and his two successors) did not acknowledge Palmyra’s new management; no matter, Rome’s leadership remained rather preoccupied in the west, operating in a constant crisis mode. This allowed the remarkable Zenobia to continue her husband’s efforts, orchestrating her Palmyrene generals towards the eventual subjugation of the southeastern Mediterranean basin.
By the time of Augustus Aurelian, the Palmyrene Empire reached its zenith, controlling the previously Roman provinces of Syria, Arabia, and Egypt, in addition to a large swath of Asia Minor. In an effort to buy some time (while battling yet another upstart realm, the Gallic Empire), Aurelian acknowledged Zenobia and Vabalthus. Coins, such as this antoninianus from 270 AD, advertised the new arrangement. The obverse depicts the laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of teenaged Vabalanthus. This particular coin includes the inscription VCRIM DR, probably referring to Vir Consularis Romanorum IMperator Dux Romanorum (other coins issued around 271-272 AD bear the more straightforward AVG or CEB appellations for the Palmyrene King). The reverse depicts the radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian along with a typical inscription, IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG. The conclusion that Aurelian received reverse numismatic billing is inferred from the mintmark in exergue (epsilon, denoting Antioch’s fifth officina).
By 272 AD, Aurelian had stabilized the Empire such that he could now afford to reclaim Palmyra, and he finally marched his armies east. He eventually captured Palmyra’s leaders, figuring they would serve as excellent war trophies in a much anticipated Triumph upon his return. Vabalanthus’ ultimate fate is not known (he may have died on the journey back to Rome), although records indicate that Zenobia, after dutifully participating in the Triumph, spent the rest of her life living comfortably in Italy, the beneficiary of Aurelian’s famed leniency.
The following year, another uprising occurred in Palmyra. This time, Aurelian exercised no leniency, quashing the rebels and nearly razing the city to the ground. Palmyra inexorably declined, aggravated by earthquakes and conquests over the centuries. Today, Palmyra’s ruins are designated a World Cultural Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The site is considered In Danger, owing the lamentable looting and damage incurred during the ongoing Syrian civil war.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Aurelian, with Vabalathus, AD 270-275, Antoninianus (20mm, 4.12 g, 6h), Antioch mint, 5th officina, 1st emission, November AD 270-March AD 272, NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Vabalathus right, VABALATHVS VCRIM DR, Reverse: Radiate and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right, IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Є below, References: RIC V 381; BN 1248-51.