354 HISTORICAL TALES.

and Persia, in dread of her enmity, solicited alliance
with her. To her dominions, which extended from
the Huphrates over much of Asia Minor and to the
borders of Arabia, she added the populous kingdom
of Egypt, the inheritance of her claimed ancestors.
The Roman emperor Claudius acknowledged her
authority and left her unmolested. Assuming the
splendid title of Queen of the Hast, she established
at her court the stately power of the courts of Asia,
exacted from her subjects the adoration shown to
the Persian king, and, while strict in her economy,
at times displayed the greatest liberality and mag-
nificence.

But a new emperor came to the throne in Rome,
and a new period in the history of Zenobia began.
Aurelian, a fierce and vigorous soldier, marched at
the head of the Roman legions against this valiant
queen, who had built herself up an empire of great
extent, and demanded that she should submit to the
power of his arms. Asia Minor was quickly restored
to Rome, Antioch fell into the hands of Aurelian,
and the Romans still advanced, to meet the army of
the Syrian queen. Meeting near Antioch, a great
battle was fought. Zabdas, who had conquered
Egypt for Zenobia, led her army, but the valiant
queen animated her soldiers by her presence, and
exhorted them to the utmost exertions. Her troops,
great in number, were mainly composed of light-
armed archers and of cavalry clothed in complete
steel. These Asiatic warriors: proved incapable of
enduring the charge of the veteran legions of Rome.
The army of Zenobia met with defeat, and at a sub-