Zonaras，l。xiip。633。Thelastisclearandprobable，theothersconfusedandinconsistent。ThetextofSyncellus，ifnotcorrupt，isabsolutenonsense。]

　　[Footnote57:OdenathusandZenobiaoftensenthim，fromthespoilsoftheenemy，presentsofgemsandtoys，whichhereceivedwithinfinitedelight。]

　　[Footnote58:SomeveryunjustsuspicionshavebeencastonZenobia，asifshewasaccessorytoherhusband\'sdeath。]

　　Withtheassistanceofhismostfaithfulfriends，sheimmediatelyfilledthevacantthrone，andgovernedwithmanlycounselsPalmyra，Syria，andtheEast，abovefiveyears。BythedeathofOdenathus，thatauthoritywasatanendwhichthesenatehadgrantedhimonlyasapersonaldistinction；buthismartialwidow，disdainingboththesenateandGallienus，obligedoneoftheRomangenerals，whowassentagainsther，toretreatintoEurope，withthelossofhisarmyandhisreputation。^59Insteadofthelittlepassionswhichsofrequentlyperplexafemalereign，thesteadyadministrationofZenobiawasguidedbythemostjudiciousmaximsofpolicy。Ifitwasexpedienttopardon，shecouldcalmherresentment；ifitwasnecessarytopunish，shecouldimposesilenceonthevoiceofpity。Herstricteconomywasaccusedofavarice；yetoneveryproperoccasionsheappearedmagnificentandliberal。TheneighboringstatesofArabia，Armenia，andPersia，dreadedherenmity，andsolicitedheralliance。TothedominionsofOdenathus，whichextendedfromtheEuphratestothefrontiersofBithynia，hiswidowaddedtheinheritanceofherancestors，thepopulousandfertilekingdomofEgypt。^60TheemperorClaudiusacknowledgedhermerit，andwascontent，that，whilehepursuedtheGothicwar，sheshouldassertthedignityoftheempireintheEast。^61Theconduct，however，ofZenobia，wasattendedwithsomeambiguity；notisitunlikelythatshehadconceivedthedesignoferectinganindependentandhostilemonarchy。SheblendedwiththepopularmannersofRomanprincesthestatelypompofthecourtsofAsia，andexactedfromhersubjectsthesameadorationthatwaspaidtothesuccessorofCyrus。Shebestowedonherthreesons^61aLatineducation，andoftenshowedthemtothetroopsadornedwiththeImperialpurple。Forherselfshereservedthediadem，withthesplendidbutdoubtfultitleofQueenoftheEast。

　　[Footnote59:Hist。August。p。180，181。]

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