Zabdas
Zabdas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Palmyrene army |
| Years of service | 270-273 |
| Battles/wars | |
Zabdas was a 3rd-century Syrian general who led the forces of
Following
Campaigns
Expedition against the Tanukhids
Aided by another general of the army,
Reasons cited for Palmyra's military campaign in Arabia are the weakness of Roman central authority over its eastern provinces and its corresponding inability to protect them, which harmed Palmyra's trade and probably convinced Zenobia that the only way to maintain stability in the East was to control the region directly.[3] The conflict of Palmyra's economic interest with as Bostra and Egypt receiving trade which would have otherwise passed through Palmyra also played a part.[4]
Regardless, the defiance of the Tanukhids against Palmyrene domination is probably the main reason which triggered a military response from Zenobia.[4]
The attack seemed to be intentionally timed, as the Palmyrene army south to Bostra while the Romans were preoccupied with their battles against the Goths in the mountains of Thrace.[5]
The Roman governor of Arabia, a certain Trassus, confronted Palmyra's approaching army while commanding the Legio III Cyrenaica,[6] but was routed and killed in action.[7] As a result, the city of Bostra surrendered, and the Palmyrene army captured and sacked the city, and destroyed the temple of Zeus Hammon, the legion's revered shrine.[7]
Invasion of Egypt
In October of 270, led by Zabdas.
The invasion of Egypt is sometimes explained by Zenobia's desire to secure an alternative trade route to the Euphrates, which was cut because of the war with Persia,[11] although the Euphrates route was only partially disrupted, and Zenobia's personal ambition and political motivation to establish Palmyrene dominance over the east definitely played a part in her decision to invade Egypt.[8]
The Palmyrenes entered Alexandria, and left a garrison of 5,000, although shortly after, Tenagino Probus, Egypt's prefect, who was occupied with naval expeditions against pirates, was alerted of the situation in Egypt and quickly returned there.[8] He recaptured Alexandria, but the Palmyrene army shortly thereafter regained control of the city.[8] Probus retreated to Babylon Fortress.[12] Although Timagenes, a native of Egypt with knowledge of the land who was aiding Zabdas during the invasion, ambushed the Roman rear and captured the fortress. Tenagino Probus ended up committing suicide, and the Palmyrenes consolidated their dominion over Egypt.[12]
Campaigns in Asia Minor
Afterward, in 271,
By August 271 Zabdas was back in Palmyra, with the Palmyrene empire at its zenith.[13]
Battles against Aurelian
In 272, the Emperor Aurelian crossed the
to reconquer the lost provinces now under Palmyra.Entering
Death
Zenobia, Vaballathus and her war council, including Zabdas, were taken to Emesa and put on trial. Most of the high ranking Palmyrene officials were executed, which might have included Zabdas, as he is not mentioned in any account of Zenobia's life after the fall of Palmyra.
Notes
- ^ Bunson 2002, p. 598.
- ^ Bryce 2014, p. 302.
- ^ Young 2003, p. 163.
- ^ a b Young 2003, p. 164.
- ^ Southern 2008, p. 114.
- ^ Southern 2008, p. 109.
- ^ a b Watson 2004, p. 61.
- ^ a b c d Watson 2004, p. 62.
- ^ Southern 2008, p. 133.
- ^ a b Bryce 2014, p. 303.
- ^ Smith II 2013, p. 178.
- ^ a b Watson 2004, p. 63.
- ^ a b c Watson 2004, p. 64.
- ^ Southern 2008, p. 116.
- ^ Bryce 2014, p. 309.
- ^ Watson 2004, p. 74.
- ^ Bryce 2014, p. 310.
- ^ Stoneman 2003, p. 175.
- ^ Watson 2004, p. 77.
Sources
- Bryce, Trevor (2014). Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-100292-2.
- Bunson, Matthew (2002). Encyclopedia of the Roman empire. Facts On File. ISBN 978-0-81-604562-4.
- Smith II, Andrew M. (2013). Roman Palmyra: Identity, Community, and State Formation. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-986110-1.
- Southern, Patricia (2008). Empress Zenobia: Palmyra's Rebel Queen. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-4411-4248-1.
- Stoneman, Richard (2003) [First published 1992]. Palmyra and Its Empire: Zenobia's Revolt Against Rome. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-08315-2.
- Watson, Alaric (2004) [First published 1999]. Aurelian and the Third Century. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-90815-8.
- Young, Gary K. (2003). Rome's Eastern Trade: International Commerce and Imperial Policy 31 BC – AD 305. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-54793-7.