Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra
Uncover the story of the woman who defied the Roman Empire in the tapestries of Segovia Cathedral
ReadChapter House of the Cathedral of Segovia (1542/1562) by García de CubillasThe Cathedral of Segovia
The tapestries in the series about queen Zenobia of Palmyra have been adorning the walls of Segovia Cathedral since at least 1684.
Chapter House of the Cathedral of Segovia (1542/1562) by García de CubillasThe Cathedral of Segovia
The commission for these tapestries was made by the Antwerp merchant Franco Méndez de Castro to the artist Geeraert Peemans in 1667, following the series of cartoons «History of Zenobia and Aurelian», drawn by the Flemish painter Justus van Egmont.
Chapter House of the Cathedral of Segovia (1542/1562) by García de CubillasThe Cathedral of Segovia
Antonio Ayala y Berganza, canon of Segovia Cathedral, bequeathed all his possessions and jewels to the Chapter of Segovia, among which was this tapestry series.
Zenobia hunting (1667/1667) by Geraert PeemansThe Cathedral of Segovia
Who was Zenobia?
Zenobia was a woman who inherited the kingdom of Palmyra, in present-day Syria, after the death of her husband Odaenathus in 267 AD. Upon ascending to power, she challenged the mighty Roman Empire and declared the territory independent, beginning her era of splendor.
Zenobia leads her army (1667) by Geraert PeemansThe Cathedral of Segovia
Both in art and literature, the story of queen Zenobia and her achievements gained great popularity during the 17th and 18th centuries, and numerous representations of her life emerged, including tapestries.
Zenobia taken prisoner (1667) by Geraert PeemansThe Cathedral of Segovia
In the 3rd century AD, she confronted neighboring empires and managed to expand her domains in the region. Her conquest reached Egypt, the wealthiest province under Roman rule.
Marriage of Zenobia and Odenathus (Around 1722) by Geraert PeemansThe Cathedral of Segovia
In Palmyra, a political, social, and cultural center, she ordered the city to be beautified with temples, gardens, and grand columns, which complemented the large Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD and still stands prominently in the middle of the desert.
Zenobia participates in Aurelian's triumph (19th century) by Geraert PeemansThe Cathedral of Segovia
Zenobia’s defeat came with emperor Aurelian’s siege of Palmyra, after which she was captured and taken to Rome as a trophy.
Promoted by: Chapter of Segovia Cathedral
Direction and texts: Adolfo Rubio Pascual-Muerte
Images: Segovia Cathedral
