Weapons that changed everything in history

Unfortunately, war is a big part of Zenobia's life. Zenobia uses the ancient formations and weapons (seen below) to challenge Rome. Author Russ Wallace has Zenobia's choice of weapon as a bow and arrow but Zenobia is trained in all forms of weaponry. 

All through Zenobia- Birth of a Legend and Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, Zenobia is continually learning and training and with these skills Zenobia turns into a deadly warrior. 

Weapons that Changed Everything

To read full article go to: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2013/08/15/12-Weapons-That-Changed-Everything

The Greek Phalanx (750 BCE)

Technically the Phalanx is the formation.  The individual soldiers were armed with the “Sarissa,” a long heavy spear, and a shield, but a phalanx is most notable for being greater than the sum of its parts.  The Greek soldiers would stand in rigid formation, their shields interlocked to protect not just themselves, but perhaps most importantly the man to their left.  The phalanx conquered the Mediterranean by moving as a single unstoppable armored unit.  It was in many ways, the tank of its day, and the fact that we still use the word in modern speech is a testament to its effectiveness.

The Gladius (400BCE - 300AD)

Roman Legionary’s Sword – If the Greeks mastered uniformity of movement, the Romans mastered standardization of equipment.  The short bladed Gladius made up part of the arsenal of every Legionary, along with a shield short throwing spear and dagger.  By ensuring that every soldier had well-made equipment, usable in a variety of situations, the Romans created an empire that, at its peak, stretched from England to North Africa, from the tip of the Iberian peninsula to the Middle East.

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-4568-gladius-sword.aspx

"The Roman Gladius is one of the most famous sword designs, wielded by one of the most formidable fighting forces known in history. Reflecting the close ties between the military and the Arena, the word gladiator comes from the word gladius: the sword used by both the legionairies, the fighting might of the Roman Empire, and some of the gladiators who re-enacted Rome's military successes."

Here's a scene from Chapter 6 in  Zenobia - Birth of a Legend :

"She gripped her long spear with her right hand, its butt end resting in the sling and boot that hung from her saddle. As with most of the cavalrymen, she wore a circular shield on her left forearm... The line began to trot forward in unison."

“Zenobia governed Syria from about 250 to 275 AD. She led her armies on horseback wearing full armor and during Claudius' reign defeated the Roman legions so decisively that they retreated from much of Asia Minor. Arabia, Armenia and Persia allied themselves with her and she claimed dominion over Egypt by right of ancestry." - Kathleen O’B.- http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/

Time for more of my favorite "Did you know" from history.com. This time it's Rome...

10 innovations that built ancient Rome

Me (Julie) at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with a copy of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend.

I don't even need a passport to experience Rome from Zenobia's time. 

Did You Know?

Many ancient Roman innovations vanished for thousands of years after the fall of the empire. Roman technology was astonishingly ahead of its time, but well-kept trade secrets meant that countless inventions died with their owners. The most famous example is concrete, which disappeared for centuries and was not adequately reproduced until the invention of Portland cement in the early 1800s.

The full article can be found at: http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-innovations-that-built-ancient-rome

By Evan Andrews

The Western Roman Empire may have fallen more than 1,500 years ago, but its rich legacy of innovation and invention can still be seen today. The Romans were prodigious builders and expert civil engineers, and their thriving civilization produced advances in technology, culture and architecture that remained unequaled for centuries. From aqueducts to newspapers, find out more about 10 innovations that built ancient Rome.

1. Aqueducts

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The Romans enjoyed many amenities for their day, including public toilets, underground sewage systems, fountains and ornate public baths. None of these aquatic innovations would have been possible without the Roman aqueduct.

2. Concrete

Grand Tour Collection/Corbis

Many ancient Roman structures like the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum are still standing today thanks to the development of Roman cement and concrete.

3. Newspapers

LeitnerR/iStockphoto.com

The Romans were known to contribute to public discourse through the use of official texts detailing military, legal and civil issues. Known as Acta Diurna, or “daily acts,” these early newspapers were written on metal or stone and then posted in heavily trafficked areas like the Roman Forum.

4. Welfare

G. Dagli Orti/De Agostini/Getty Images

Ancient Rome was the wellspring for many modern government programs, including measures that subsidized food, education and other expenses for the needy.

5. Bound Books

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For most of human history, literature took the form of unwieldy clay tablets and scrolls. The Romans streamlined the medium by creating the codex, a stack of bound pages that is recognized as the earliest incarnation of the book.

6. Roads and Highways

Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis

At its height, the Roman empire encompassed nearly 1.7 million square miles and included most of southern Europe. To ensure effective administration of this sprawling domain, the Romans built the most sophisticated system of roads the ancient world had ever seen. These Roman roads—many of which are still in use today—were constructed with a combination of dirt, gravel and bricks made from granite or hardened volcanic lava.

7. Roman Arches

Vanni Archive/Corbis

Arches have existed for roughly 4,000 years, but the ancient Romans were the first to effectively harness their power in the construction of bridges, monuments and buildings.

8. The Julian Calendar 

grublee/iStockphoto.com

The modern Gregorian calendar is modeled very closely on a Roman version that dates back more than 2,000 years. (*READ an article I wrote about the Julian Calender at http://geodepress.com/how-february-came-to-be/)

9. The Twelve Tables and the Corpus Juris Civilis

Subpoena, habeas corpus, pro bono, affidavit—all these terms derive from the Roman legal system, which dominated Western law and government for centuries. The basis for early Roman law came from the Twelve Tables, a code that formed an essential part of the constitution during the Republican era.

10. Battlefield Surgery

G. Nimatallah/De Agostini/Getty Images

The Romans invented many surgical tools and pioneered the use of the cesarean section, but their most valuable contributions to medicine came on the battlefield. Under the leadership of Augustus, they established a military medical corps that was one of the first dedicated field surgery units. These specially trained medics saved countless lives through the use of Roman medical innovations like hemostatic tourniquets and arterial surgical clamps to curb blood loss.

Zenobia loved to learn and expand her knowledge. Even though Zenobia spent most of her life trying to eradicate Roman control over her Syrian people, I think she respected the Romans many innovations. Especially since Palmyra, Syria (Tadmor in Arabic)  prospered under the Romans influence for many years.

Zenobia - Challenging a Legend - "Resting on laurels" is Ancient History

There are many sayings that we use today which have ancient history origins. Here's one:

Resting on laurels
The idea of resting on your laurels dates back to leaders and athletic stars of ancient Greece. In Hellenic times, laurel leaves were closely tied to Apollo, the god of music, prophecy and poetry. Apollo was usually depicted with a crown of laurel leaves, and the plant eventually became a symbol of status and achievement. Victorious athletes at the ancient Pythian Games received wreaths made of laurel branches, and the Romans later adopted the practice and presented wreaths to generals who won important battles. Venerable Greeks and Romans, or “laureates,” were thus able to “rest on their laurels” by basking in the glory of past achievements. Only later did the phrase take on a negative connotation, and since the 1800s it has been used for those who are overly satisfied with past triumphs.

(Found at history.com http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-common-sayings-with-historical-origins?cmpid=INT_Outbrain_HITH_HIS&obref=obnetwork)

We wanted to continue sharing with you exciting excerpts from Zenobia- Challenging a Legend. The scene today doesn't even have Zenobia in it but does display another tough woman.

The kidnapped girl had been captive for a week. She had seen a couple of other girls, evidently also captives, walking with the group during the day, but they were too separated to converse. She wanted to get a chance to talk with them. 

Her guard for that night, speaking Egyptian, asked her, “What is your name?”  

She was tempted not to answer, but she had already decided that the wiser course was to be friendly with the guards, at least the nicer ones. It might lead to an opportunity. “Tyrianna,” she answered, keeping her eyes downcast.  

He grunted. “An elegant name for an elegant girl.” He paused. “You are tall for a woman and your sinews appear tough. You are Ethiopian?” 

She only nodded her response. She figured he could see it in the light from the small campfire.  

*****

Tyrianna had decided that today she would escape or die trying. It was Brute’s turn to guard her and Patricia, which pleased her. The sky began to lighten in the east. Her ankles were bound together and then to a tree on a rope several cubits long, and her hands were tied in front of her. Still, she rose and went through a series of exercises to limber her muscles. Then she lay back down and pretended to sleep. She prepared herself mentally, visualizing her attack in her mind. 

Brute came for the girls shortly after sunrise. He untied Patricia’s legs first, then he gave her a push toward the campfire. She stumbled and fell. The guard gave a hearty laugh. 

Next he untied Tyrianna’s legs. “Wake up and get moving!” he commanded.  

As she expected, when she stood and stretched, he pushed her. She stumbled to her knees. One of us has just seen his last sunrise, the Ethiopian thought. She started to rise awkwardly, her rump in the air. She leaned her elbows on her right knee, and she clasped her hands together, focusing her energy. 

Taking the bait, Brute moved in to kick her backside.  

As he kicked, Tyrianna suddenly dodged to her left, spinning. His kick missed, and he staggered off balance. She whipped her extended arms around like a club. Brute tried to jump back, but she was too fast. Her hands smashed into his left side lower ribs. She heard a rewarding crack and oof as the air was knocked from his lungs. He staggered back in shock.

 Tyrianna plays an important role in book two. We hope you fall in love with her as much as we have.

Are we repeating history?

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One great thing I love about promoting Zenobia and her story is she fought for freedom and wanted to stop the injustices. I'm hoping instead of repeating history we can learn from our past and correct it before it's to late. 

Are we repeating history? For a brutal truth watch the video by FreedomFest2013 at Geode Press website http://geodepress.com/are-we-repeating-history/

The dates are set for Zenobia the musical. Will you be there?

Presenting... ZENOBIA THE MUSICAL in Chicago this summer. Don't miss out on the extraordinary story of Zenobia preformed as a musical.

http://youtu.be/TaoOFFQQQLM

Lorrisa has taken her obsession for Zenobia and combined it with her love for acting and music and wrote this wondrous story of a great woman in history!

the original live multimedia musical by Lorrisa Julianus & Angela Salvaggione 

Presented by: Theatre-on-the-Hill and the Village of Bolingbrook/ Roger C. Claar, Mayor.

WHERE: Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center
375 W. Briarcliff Rd.
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

WHEN:
Thursday, August 15th 8pm
(FREE WORLD PREMIERE for the annual Bolingbrook Jubilee)
Friday, August 30 8pm
Saturday, August 31 8pm
Sunday, Sept 1 7:30pm


Rated PG-13 for dialogue and intense action

Based on historical events

And calling all singers, dancers, and actors, here's your chance to participate in this great show. 

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION:

Auditions will be held April 22nd and 23rd , 7pm to 10pm, at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center, 375 W. Briarcliff in Bolingbrook (same location for rehearsals and performance). Conveniently off I-355 and I-55, we are less than 30 miles from State/Madison in downtown Chicago and an approximately 38min drive.

This is an adult cast with an equal number of male and female roles. There are only two under 18 roles. Performers of every racial background are encouraged to audition for any role they feel is within their capabilities.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script (please email lorrisaj@att.net for sides and songs in advance), a vocal audition (prepare your own song acapella or learn one of ours with mp3), and a movement audition.

EVEN IF YOU CAN’T SING, there are still plenty of roles available, particularly for men.

If you are unable to make these audition dates, please contact us and other arrangements may be possible.

Please write theatreonthehill@yahoo.com to request an audition hour slot. Walk-ins are also welcome. Please bring a head-shot and resume if you have them.

Rehearsals will begin immediately after auditions and occur weekly on various weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons until the performance date. Please bring your schedule to auditions and/or list of conflicts.

What is Ancient History?

1. Ancient History is the history of the ancient world from the earliest known civilization to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.
2.  Informal -Something that is already long familiar and no longer new, interesting, or relevant.

On a recent trip to Vegas, I was thrilled to find a statue of the Goddess Diana from Roman Mythology in Caesars Palace.  Zenobia in book one was compared to the Goddess because of her skills in archery.

Diana statue in Caesars Palace

I'm excited when I find readers, book clubs, and organizations that focus on history. Most groups spotlight Renaissance or Medieval times. Groups who center on Ancient History can sometimes come off as boring. I might not have been interested in knowing more of the time frame if it wasn't for Zenobia from the 3rd century. She brings a point of view that even today we can relate to. Ancient History doesn't have to be "Ancient History" and we can make it fun and interesting. I'm a visual learner so walking around Caesars Palace made the history of Roman times come to life. 

Even riding on the elevator was a history lesson to be found

As I explored Caesars Palace it was like  being transported back to Roman times.

of course Caesar was a focal point

Zenobia  came along on the Roman tour of  the extensive grounds

There were beautiful gardens and statues everywhere

Roman towers

Sparkling water fountains

and Roman Mythology was all around

I don't even need a passport to travel to different times in history.

next stop Egypt

Tuesday Teaser

Today we share a scene of Longinus, the critical thinking Professor and Zenobia discussing the Gods. There were lots of different beliefs and all interested her. Read  below from book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend as they discuss the Gods.

Longinus became pensive, wondering how she would react to his argument. “Let us look at Zeus, the chief god to the Greeks. He supposedly was a creator. However, Greek theology teaches that he was also a rapist, taking on the shapes of animals and forcing himself on women. A superhuman deity with subhuman morals or ethics. I simply cannot believe that such a god, if he were real, would care about making things for us to enjoy. It is inconsistent.”

“I had not thought about that side of it,” Zenobia confessed, “but your analysis makes sense, as usual. Plus, a god who so misbehaves certainly does not merit our worship.”

“Since we humans have a capacity to enjoy such a variety of things, it seems that we were designed that way. Whoever created us must have wanted us to delight in our lives. In no way does that fit with the descriptions of the gods of the nations. I have concluded that there has to be a creator, or creators, that truly care about mankind. The other gods appear to be merely the imaginings of men, who have envisioned their gods in their own likenesses, with their own weaknesses. Those gods I can never believe in.”

“Then why” Zenobia pressed, “do most people believe in all these gods?”

“Habit. Community pressure. Fear. Lack of an alternative. Certainly not logic.”

The Goddess who was know as a huntress and proficient with her bow and arrow was compared to Zenobia. When she won an archery contest with her new bow and arrow, Brutus who took second said, "“Well done, Diana!” Brutus told the victor. “I am not sure that even seeing it I believe it!” (http://geodepress.com/thinking-thursday-zenobia-wins/)

In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the woodlands, of wild animals, and of hunting. Artists usually portrayed her as a virgin hunter, often with a bow and quiver, accompanied by maidens, hunting dogs, or deer.

Read more: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Cr-Dr/Diana.html#b#ixzz2IdPbGzKX