In this episode, we meet Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra (c. 240–c. 274). She built her own empire, loved the arts, welcomed many faiths, and then went head-to-head with Rome, wreaking havoc on the already havoc-filled Roman Empire. Even in her own time, she became a bit of a symbol and a cipher, and she’s remained an important historical figure for many cultures. Zenobia’s reign has been re-examined in recent years as an example of Rome’s instability during the third century and the power of the provinces, especially those in North Africa and the Levant.
Dr. Danielle Perry presented on Zenobia last year at Dead Ladies Show NYC. Danielle is a historian of the Roman world, especially the Late Republic and Empire. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer in the Department of Classics at Dartmouth University in New Hampshire.
DLS co-founder Katy Derbyshire joined host/producer Susan Stone to introduce the talk. Thanks to the team at Dead Ladies NYC for sharing this presentation with us: Sheila Enright, Molly O’Laughlin Kemper, Christopher Neil and the KGB Bar’s Lori Schwarz.
The next show in New York is November 12th. Find out more here or follow them on Instagram, @deadladiesnyc or subscribe to their newsletter.
If you’re in Berlin, come see us at ACUD December 8th! You can already get advance tickets for the show here. This time we’re tackling huge narrative challenges: an almost-forgotten martyr, an extremely well-loved superstar, and a massive on-screen enigma.
Show notes:
The Dead Ladies Show was founded by Florian Duijsens and Katy Derbyshire. The podcast is created, produced, and edited by Susan Stone.
Our theme tune is Little Lily Swing by Tri-Tachyon. We will be back again next month with another fabulous Dead Lady.
