Thinking Thursday - Zenobia Questions Justice

In Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, chapter eleven, on her visit to the Temple of the Sun she confronts a Priest with a burning question.

     When they descended to the temple’s main level, the same priest who had unlocked the tower access for them met them again. Zelina gave him a donation. Zenobia tugged at her mother’s robe and said, “Ask him, Mother.”

     “Ask him what, dear?”

     “You know. What we talked about this morning.” The issue had been churning in the back of her mind since their visit to the judicial building, and now she wanted an answer. Hadn’t her mother said that perhaps the priests would know? She had discerned that the question would be better received coming from an adult.

     “O.” she turned to the priest and asked, “My daughter and I were wondering, does the sun god care about the injustice in the world?”

     The priest was surprised and just looked at them while he pondered the import of their question. He decided that questions like this had the potential to be dangerous. Finally, he replied in a condescending tone, “It is not for women and girls to concern themselves with such matters. That is the business of the priests.”

     Instantly, the fire of curiosity in Zenobia flared up into indignation. “Justice is the business of all of us! And if the gods care about us, they should care about justice!”

     “Zenobia!” Her mother saw what was coming and tried to interrupt her, but she was like a hungry leopard running down its prey.

     “But if they do not care about us, then they do not deserve our worship, nor our…,” the rest of her words were muffled by her mother’s hand clamped firmly over her mouth!

…..This mollified the priest only a little. He said, “It seems you have more than enough to occupy you in taming your little wildcat. Leave questions of theology to the experts!” He turned sharply and walked briskly away. He intended to speak to Odenathus about this effrontery.

     Zenobia looked at her mother, who had crossed her arms and was glaring at her daughter with her sternest expression.

     “Mistake?” Zenobia asked rhetorically.

     “All this from a girl who only two hours ago told me, ‘don’t worry, Mother, I’m careful!’ Let’s get out of here before we get stoned.”

The quest for justice is an inspiration through-out Zenobia’s life.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr. 

Zenobia challenges Rome

Chapter 14 from Zenobia – Challenging a Legend

 When they were outside and away from the others, Longinus exclaimed in a subdued voice, “You idiot!” his face livid. From anyone else it would have been a scream, but of course he was far too controlled to ever totally give in to such an emotion. “Do you actually believe that you can blunder through life, indulging your every impulse, without serious consequences? Fool!”

Can you guess who Longinus is speaking to?

Yes, you guessed right, Zenobia. What would make the Professor so angry to talk to his student in such a manner?

Zenobia let her feelings of rebellion against Rome be known to her other classmates. If Rome perceived you a threat they would eliminate you. Rome didn't fear a young desert girl from Syria and that became a brutal mistake. Don’t ever underestimate a girl, especially one who carries a bow and arrow and is more interested in warriors than shopping in the marketplace.

The novel Historic Girls by E.S. Brooks writes about Zenobia and how the girl in the Syrian Desert influenced history of her time. “In these progressive days, when so much energy and discussion are devoted to what is termed equality and the rights of women, it is well to remember that there have been in the distant past women, and girls even, who by their actions and endeavors proved themselves the equals of the men of their time in valor, shrewdness, and ability.

Their stories are fruitful of varying lessons, for some of these historic girls were willful as well as courageous, and mischievous as well as tender-hearted.

But from all the lessons and from all the morals, one truth stands out most clearly—the fact that age and country, time and surroundings, make but little change in the real girl-nature, that has ever been impulsive, trusting, tender, and true, alike in the days of the Syrian Zenobia and in those of the modern American school-girl.” http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage-books.php?Dir=books&author=brooks&book=girls&story=_front

Thinking Thursday - Zenobia learns military strategy from Odenathus

Chapter 10 in Zenobia – Birth of a Legend

Zenobia experiences her first visit to a large city, Tadmor. Zenobia learns that many opportunities were available for craftsmen, tradesmen, doctors, lawyer, and all type of professional businessmen. Tadmor raised an army to guard against the bandits who would attack the caravans coming through the hostile desert to trade in this great city. The senator of Tadmor, Odenathus was chief of the army. Let’s read the scene when Zenobia and Odenathus first meet.

Zenobia was interested in some shopping, but the schools held an even greater draw for her. They moved over to the military offices. “Several bands of soldiers are assigned out from here,” Zelina explained. “We could have asked for an escort for the last day or two of our journey.”

     “But you are the least likely caravan to need it!” said a masculine voice from behind them.

     Zenobia turned, startled then she bowed at once and said, “Good day, Lord Odenathus.” Zenobia thought he looked pleased that she knew his name. They had not been formally introduced the night before.

     Zelina gave a nod of recognition and said, “Greetings, Senator. You look well.”

………..

     Odenathus was intrigued by the dynamic girl before him. He had heard stories, but now he decided to find out for himself. “It was reported to me that you had come to the government center. I imagine the young lady has many questions about it. I would be honored if you would join me for the midday meal, where perhaps I may answer some of them.”

…….

     Zenobia soon said, “Describe to me the functions of your department, please, Senator.” He did so at some length. There were six thousand regular cavalry and infantry, but there were thousands more that had some fighting experience and could be conscripted if needed. Plus, over a thousand Roman soldiers were quartered adjacent to the city. He explained the patrols that were maintained to safeguard the caravans, which were the economic lifeblood of Tadmor.

     “Where do most bandits attacks come from?” Zenobia wondered out loud.

     “From the foothills and mountains to the north…”

     “Do you only react when bandits attack, or…,” she left the question unfinished, unsure how to put it.

     “Or do we sent out spies?” he finished it for her.

     “Perhaps these are matters that do not really concern us, dear,” her mother said.

     “On the contrary,” said Odenathus. “It is said that Alexander of Macedonia, at eight years of age, would ask military questions of visiting kings…Do you understand that what I’m about to reveal is confidential, that it is not to be shared with anyone?”

     “Yes.” She did not flinch under his stare. She leaned closer.

     “We have informants in various cities and villages to the north,” he said in a subdued voice. “If they become aware of a suspicious activity, we have given them ways to contact us and we pay them well for this information. Naturally, if this became know in their villages, their lives would be in danger and we would lose an advantage. This work of recruiting and utilizing informants is highly specialized and secretive. Your father and Cam are aware of this, by the way, and have assisted us with it at times.”

     “I will help you if you ever need me,” Zenobia offered.

     “Thank you, Zenobia,” he said, and he seemed deadly serious. “You could make certain contacts that a warrior could not without arousing suspicion.”

     “Although I am a warrior myself,” she replied, “but that should not be hard for a girl to conceal if necessary to a spying mission.”

     He bowed a slight acknowledgement. “I forgot for a moment. We have never had a female warrior in my lifetime, though the history books tell of some.”

Tuesday Teaser - Zenobia - Challenging a Legend

Zenobia – Challenging a Legend, book two chapter 30 - Salim talks with Zenobia about the many challenges. 

  

“You want to rule. It won’t always be easy. As you have just seen, what you perceive as an act of kindness or mercy will be judged by some as an act of cruelty! isn't that ironic?”   

Author Spotlight

"Like" Russ Wallace’s Amazon author central page @Amazon.com/Russ-Wallace

Russ Wallace is life-long student of history, religion, politics, and social issues. As an instructor, he came to value the critical thinking so necessary to navigate the minefields of propaganda while searching for truths. Russ remains convinced that every individual who learns to think analytically benefits his or her own person, his family, his community, his country, and the worldwide human society. Thus, a principal goal of his books is to stimulate reasoning.

As a world traveler, Russ learned the opposing views and prejudices underlying many of the problems in human society, ancient and modern. His first book Zenobia - Birth of a Legend won a 2012 IPPY award in Historical Fiction. He employs a vivid imagination to fill in the life of Zenobia, a real historical figure and one of the most fascinating women who ever lived. He is working on future books in the Zenobia series.

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Zenobia - Birth of a Legend

Brenda Bible posted, “loved the book, it made me want to go to Egypt.” 

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Zenobia's archery contest

Zenobia thrives in her warrior training with her bow and arrow. When an archery competition is happening during one of her visits to Tadmor she decides to participate. It’s unheard of to have a girl in the competition and so the crowd is even more shocked when Zenobia makes it to the final round. 

Read the excerpt from Zenobia – Birth of a Legend in chapter 22:

 The announcer shouted, “the final match for the championship: Zenobia representing the House of Komari and Brutus representing the legions of Rome!

      It was her turn to start. She knew that she needed every arrow well into the gold to have a good chance at the victory. It would likely be decided by the tie-break. She concentrated and the arrow struck just over a finger length from the center. There was some soft clapping. Brutus’ first arrow hit a little further out than hers had, and she thought that the clapping was nevertheless stronger for him.

      Her second shot was a trifle wide to the right, just past the halfway point of gold. "Scorpions!" She said under her breath.  

      Brutus drew and concentrated for a long time. His arrow struck almost dead center! He had the advantage.

      She felt an unusual tension. As Cam had taught her, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It’s not life and death, and it’s not war, she told herself. If you lose, so be it. You can only do your best. Make sure you do it. Once again she shrunk her universe to herself, a bow, and arrow, and a target.

 For the outcome of the contest you’re going to have to read the book.

      Archery has been around for a long time, for war and survival.  Zenobia from a young age was a natural with the bow and arrow. Her skills improve with training and the contest provided a place to hone her talent. As you read the life story of Zenobia you will find that her bow and arrow will save her life and those she protects many times. 

Zenobia demonstrates gravity with her bow and arrow. Read all about it.

Tuesday Teaser Zenobia – Challenging a Legend 

In book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, Zenobia's favorite class is Critical Thinking. Not only because she loved to expand her knowledge but also because she found her Professor, Longinus very intriguing. Here are some sentences from Chapter 11. 

     When there were no more hands, Longinus said, “Smells and sounds and sights all exert an influence on us, which we might call a type of power or force.  However, we today will concern ourselves with physical forces that are invisible to our eyes.  I asked Zenobia to bring her bow today for a demonstration.  Let’s go outside.”  

     He led them to a nearby park. When they arrived he asked, “How far can you shoot an arrow, Zenobia?” 

     “Normally, 100 paces is considered maximum range. Farther and the accuracy drops off quickly. I can shoot farther, but I am not skilled at that distance.”

    “Good.  Shoot an arrow straight out, please, horizontal, no lift to it.”  He pointed in a direction for the moment devoid of people.  She strung her bow and made the shot.  He noted her professional stance and release. 

Thinking Thursday - Zenobia is a strong women in history like Cleopatra.

Zenobia has been compared to Cleopatra and it was also claimed that they may have been related. 

Excerpt from Zenobia – Birth of a Legend, chapter eight: 

     Zelina and Zenobia joined the caravan when it reached their camp. Zenobia was armed to the teeth. Two bows hung from the saddle on her camel, plus three quivers, and she wore her sword and dagger. She wanted to ride with the warrior escort, but her mother vetoed the idea. If there was an attack, she resolved to join the other warriors before her mother had time to object...

     “Cleopatra must have been a great seductress because she had Caesar’s child. Then, after he was killed, she became the lover of his powerful general, Mark Anthony, so that makes two high level seductions. Still, she couldn't save her family’s rulership.”

     “She did for a while,” Zelina replied, “Maybe two decades. She was so good at it that, according to some accounts, when Octavian finally defeated Mark Anthony, Octavian’s generals decided to make sure she didn't do it a third time!”

     “What do you mean? The history book said that she committed suicide by the bite of a poisonous viper.”

     “Yes, that is the official story. However, a shadow version says the generals killed her to prevent her from seducing Octavian too! You must admit, that is a spicier theory. Then they concocted the story of her suicide to keep the Egyptians from revolting. Anyway, it was two and half centuries ago and impossible to prove now. And even eyewitnesses have been known to lie.”

     Zenobia was thoughtful before adding, “I’m glad that I’m a proficient archer and have no need of seduction.”

     So we both hope, Zelina said to herself.

    There was another long pause and Zenobia continued, “You told me once that we had Egyptian blood in us and were descended from Cleopatra.”

… “Yes. We are in the line of a different Cleopatra, who likely was in the family but through a cousin or other relative rather than a direct descent. Does that make you feel better, since you did not approve of her tactics?”

     “Yes and no.” Zenobia was again quiet for a bit. “Is it possible that Cleopatra had direct descendant that survived and that some of her blood is in us through that survivor?”

     Zelina considered. “I suppose it might be possible, if unlikely.”

     "But who could disprove it anyway?” her daughter persisted.

      "After all this time it might be impossible to disprove," her mother admitted. "Why do you ask?"

     "Just curious."

Zelina did not believe that for a minute. She sighed inwardly as they rode on. 

Indeed in history Zenobia claimed to be a descendant of Cleopatra and even though it couldn't be proven it might have been used as a great tool to rally her troops in calling Egypt her ancestral home.

“Classical and Arabic sources describe Zenobia as beautiful and intelligent with a dark complexion, pearly white teeth, and bright black eyes. She was said to be even more beautiful than Cleopatra, differing though in her reputation for extreme chastity. Sources also describe Zenobia as carrying herself like a man, riding, hunting and drinking on occasion with her officers. Well educated and fluent in Greek, Aramaic, and Egyptian, with working knowledge of Latin, tradition accords her renown for hosting literary salons and surrounding herself with philosophers and poets, the most famous of these being Cassius Longinus.^” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia

http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/legendary-women.htm