Editing Zenobia (section)

====Downfall====
[[File:AurelianusPalmyra272.png|thumb|Route of Aurelian's campaign]]
The usurpation, which began in late March or early April 272, ended by August.{{sfn|Hartmann|2001|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=BdcHK8Ll1jMC&pg=PA359 359]}} Aurelian spent the winter of 271–272 in [[Byzantium]],{{sfn|Southern|2015|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=2p9hCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA170 170]}} and probably crossed the [[Bosporus]] to Asia Minor in April 272.{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=ecfiAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA133 133]}} Galatia fell easily; the Palmyrene garrisons were apparently withdrawn, and the provincial capital of Ancyra was regained without a struggle.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA71 71]}} All the cities in Asia Minor opened their doors to the Roman emperor, with only [[Tyana]] putting up some resistance before [[Siege of Tyana (272)|surrendering]]; this cleared the path for Aurelian to invade Syria, the Palmyrene heartland.{{sfn|Watson|2004|pp= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA71 71], [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA72 72]}} A simultaneous expedition reached Egypt in May 272; by early June Alexandria was captured by the Romans, followed by the rest of Egypt by the third week of June.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA71 71]}} Zenobia seems to have withdrawn most of her armies from Egypt to focus on Syria—which, if lost, would have meant the end of Palmyra.{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=ecfiAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA133 133]}}

In May 272, Aurelian headed toward Antioch.{{sfn|Hartmann|2001|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=BdcHK8Ll1jMC&pg=PA368 268]}} About {{convert|40|km}} north of the city, he defeated the Palmyrene army (led by Zabdas) at the [[Battle of Immae]].{{sfn|Hartmann|2001|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=BdcHK8Ll1jMC&pg=PA368 268]}}{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA73 73]}} As a result, Zenobia, who waited in Antioch during the battle, retreated with her army to Emesa.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA74 74]}} To conceal the disaster and make her flight safer, she spread reports that Aurelian was captured; Zabdas found a man who resembled the Roman emperor and paraded him through Antioch.{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=DqMrR29Cc7MC&pg=PA137 137]}} The following day, Aurelian entered the city before marching south.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA74 74]}} After defeating a Palmyrene garrison south of Antioch,{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 75]}} Aurelian continued his march to meet Zenobia in the [[Battle of Emesa]].{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 75]}}

The 70,000-strong Palmyrene army, assembled on the plain of Emesa, nearly routed the Romans.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 75]}} In an initial thrill of victory they hastened their advance, breaking their lines and enabling the Roman infantry to attack their flank.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA75 75]}} The defeated Zenobia headed to her capital on the advice of her war council, leaving her treasury behind.{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 76]}} In Palmyra, the empress prepared for a siege;{{sfn|Powers|2010|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=A7joBeDsajcC&pg=PA133 133]}} Aurelian blockaded food-supply routes,{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=wnTOBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA143 143]}} and there were probably unsuccessful negotiations.{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=wnTOBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144 144]}} According to the ''Augustan History'', Zenobia said that she would fight Aurelian with the help of her Persian allies; however, the story was probably fabricated and used by the emperor to link Zenobia to Rome's greatest enemy.{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=wnTOBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144 144]}} If such an alliance existed, a much-larger frontier war would have erupted; however, no Persian army was sent.{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=wnTOBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144 144]}} As the situation worsened, the queen left the city for Persia intending to seek help from Palmyra's former enemy; according to Zosimus, she rode a "female camel, the fastest of its breed and faster than any horse".{{sfn|Watson|2004|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=kJ2JAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 76]}}{{sfn|Southern|2008|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=wnTOBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA145 145]}}