"head-man" of the desert republic were married in the marble city
of the palm-trees, and her shrewd counsels brought still greater
triumphs to Odaenathus and to Palmyra,

In the great market-place or forum, Odaenathus and Zenobia
awaited the return of their messengers to Sapor. For the "Great
King," having killed and stuffed the captive Roman Emperor, now
turned his arms against the Roman power in the east and,
destroying both Antioch and Emesa, looked with an evil eye toward
Palmyra. Zenobia, remembering the omen of the eagle and the lion,
repeated her counsel of facing craft with craft, and letters and
gifts had been sent to Sapor, asking for peace and friendship.
There is a hurried entrance through the eastern gate of the city,
and the messengers from the Palmyrean senate rush into the
Market-place.

"Your presents to the Great King have been thrown into the river,
O Odaenathus," they reported, "and thus sayeth Sapor of Persia:
'Who is this Odaenathus, that he should thus presume to write to
his lord? If he would obtain mitigation of the punishment that
awaits him, let him fall prostrate before the foot of our throne,
with his hands bound behind his back. Unless he doeth this, he,
his family, and his country shall surely perish!' "

Swift to wrath and swifter still to act, Zenobia sprang to her
feet. "Face force with force, Odaenathus. Be strong and sure, and
Palmyra shall yet humble the Persian."

Her advice was taken. Quickly collecting the troops of Palmyra
and the Arabs and Armenian who were his allies, the fearless