Zenobia was know to have eyes that sparkled
In Zenobia’s class Critical thinking with professor Longinus they discuss how to build an empire. This gets Zenobia going on how to rule an empire someday and more importantly it starts her thinking about conquering Rome. Here is a scene with some teaser sentences from book two, Zenobia – Challenging a Legend.
Longinus called the class to attention and began, “It requires a lot of time to build an empire – time to train an army, time to educate the future leaders in fields of politics, law, and the sciences. Where does this time come from?”
“It comes from other activities,” proclaimed Cyprian confidently.
“Of course,” agreed Longinus. “People do not get an extra few hours each day because they are committed to empire building.” The class chuckled at this remark.
“Since primitive societies spend most of their time securing enough food merely to exist,” observed Dionysius, “the time must come primarily from this activity. Therefore, the key ingredient to building an empire must be the efficient production or acquisition of food, more probably the production since I do not see how the acquisition could be efficient.”
Zenobia pounced on this, “It’s efficient for Rome! They just steal it from Egypt!”
“But we are not discussing Rome yet,” Longinus interjected, his face showing his displeasure at her comment. “Do you all concur with Dionysius that increasing the production of food allows the diversion of manpower to other pursuits?” The class expressed its affirmation. “What else besides time is needed?”
“Educational facilities – schools and a faculty,” said Hermeseus.
“And a higher standard of living to make the populace believe that building the empire is in their own best interests,” added Timaeus.
“Yes,” agreed Joseph, “which means imports and the mechanisms of trade.”
Zenobia decided she had better make some insightful comments to get back in her instructor’s good graces. “Trade is what has made Tadmor great,” she joined in. “Though it is not yet an empire, it seems to be on its way.”
I found a magazine that focuses on war and has many great articles from around Roman time. In the Dec 2009 issue they mention Zenobia and her war against Rome.
http://www.ancient-warfare.com
ANCIENT WARFARE II.6, DEC/JAN 2009
Theme: Rome in Crisis – the third century AD
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