Talk:Zenobia

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[edit] Arab Proaganda

However, Arabic was not spoken in Palmyra, so it is unclear why her name is given in Arabic, or why there is any reference to Arabic at all, considering that the languages used in the city were Greek and Palmyrene, an Aramaic dialect. --138.88.103.250 01:47, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

I agree. These Arabic references should be removed. They appear to have been added for reasons of Arab propaganda of the "Jesus was an Arab" school. Zenobia did not speak Arabic but a dialect of Aramaic and was known to be sympathetic to Jews.68.111.71.197 (talk) 22:04, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

In 260, her forces were responsible for an unprecedented victory against Rome: not only were Roman forces defeated, but the emperor Valerian was captured and taken back to Zenobia's court. This was the only such occurrance in Rome's history and it demanded a reply.

I took the above out, because she wasn't yet reigning in 260. Also, the source I have says that it was King Sapor of Persia (not Zenobia's husband Odenathus of Palmyra) who defeated and captured Valerian in 260. -- Marj Tiefert

Argh -- you're right -- Zenobia and Odenathus defeated Sapor...but Valerian was still made into a footstool...! JHK

Are we sure about the birth name? It would make more sense if "Septimia" derived from her husband's being "Septimius Odanathus," and I can't find "Bathzabbi" anywhere. -- isis 24 Aug 2002

Okay, I'm reading Gibbon's "Decline and Fall . . ." (which I HIGHLY recomend, BTW), and he has the following description of Zenobia (starting in year 272, ch. XI, Vol 1)

She claimed her descent from the Macedonian kings of Egypt, equalled in beauty her ancestor Cleopatra, and far surpassed that princess in chastity and valour. Zenobia was esteemed the most lovely as well as the most heroic of her sex. She was of a dark complexion (for in speaking of a lady these trifles become important). Her teeth were of a pearly whiteness, and her large black eyes sparkled with uncommon fire, tempered by the most attractive sweetness. Her voice was strong and harmonious. Her manly understanding was strengthened and adorned by study. She was not ignorant of the Latin tongue, but possessed in equal perfection the Greek, Syriac and the Egyptian languges.

About the removal of the Category:Ancient Roman women: I see a conflict of that with the Cat:Ancient Roman enemies and allies. But if somebody is terribly keen of having both cats in, that ok with me. muriel@pt 09:41, 26 Nov 2004 (UTC)

[edit] The second paragraph...

The second paragraph is very hard to understand: who proclaimed herself Queen of Egypt, Zenobia or the other Egyptian person? The pronouns really need clear antecedents; I truly am confused which 'she' everybody's discussing. If somebody could just clear this up for me, I'd be glad to just clean up that section of the article. Mayukhers112 01:01, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Her death

There are stories of her poisoning herself to escape from being brought to Rome as a slave. Can anybody check that please?

[edit] Picture

If a picture of Zenobia is necessary, perhaps a coin from her lifetime would be a better choice, rather than a 19th century orientalist fantasy. Aliibn (talk) 13:44, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

If you have better images, please put them forward, rather than delete this one. Your removal of this image and the rationale appears to be part of a WP:POINT campaign originating from Talk Muhammed. Cheers •CHILLDOUBT• 14:08, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
And yours seems to be originating from the same drive to push your anti-Muslim POV. Aliibn (talk) 14:13, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
*Sigh* the victim card comes out once again. Don't you ever tire of silly racism accusations? •CHILLDOUBT• 14:15, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
ahh, 'victim card', the standard right wing talk radio putdown of any complaint or criticism by anyone not white, male, north European, or judaeo-Christian. A _very_ revealing comment indeed! Aliibn (talk) 14:18, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
Hehehehe. Thanks for the laugh regarding what you believe my politics to be - Being wrong seems to be a bit of a speciality for you ;-) ...Lets try and keep our discussions to wikipedia issues shall we...? •CHILLDOUBT• 14:24, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Try this one

Why not use this image instead, contemporary (3rd centry) bust of Zenobia from the Vatican museum) http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=40172&rendTypeId=4 Aliibn (talk) 14:17, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Looks good to me. The only question I might have is the licensing for the image. Ill upload this image to the article now, and add the rationale. If there are any problems, Ill give you an alert so we can come up with another source or another way round it. Cheers •CHILLDOUBT• 14:32, 1 January 2008 (UTC)