Zenobia
Flourished circa 270, Palmyra, Syria
Zenobia was the queen of Palmyra from 267 to 272 and she eventually expanded her kingdom into Asia Minor and Syria through military conquests. In 269, she declared herself queen of Egypt, claiming to be descended from Dido, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony. She was conquered by the Roman emperor Aurelian in 272, who led her around the streets of Rome in chains. She was later released and allowed to live out her life in a villa at Tibur (Tivoli), Italy.
![Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939). <em>The Dinner Party</em> (Heritage Floor; detail), 1974–79. Porcelain with rainbow and gold luster, 48 x 48 x 48 ft. (14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 m). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. Photograph by Jook Leung Photography](https://d1lfxha3ugu3d4.cloudfront.net/eascfa/images/heritage_floor_placeholder.jpg)