Zenobia; Or, The Fall Of Palmyra is a historical novel by William Ware. The novel is set in the 3rd century AD and tells the story of Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra, and her struggle against the Roman Empire. Zenobia is a highly educated and intelligent woman, who believes that Palmyra should be independent from Rome. She leads her people in a revolt against the Roman Empire and becomes a powerful and respected leader. She forms alliances with other countries and expands the territory of Palmyra, leading her people to a period of prosperity. However, her success is short-lived, as the Roman Emperor Aurelian leads a campaign against her. Zenobia is eventually captured and brought to Rome, where she is paraded through the streets as a conquered queen. Despite her defeat, Zenobia maintains her pride and dignity and continues to inspire her people. The novel is notable for its portrayal of Zenobia as a strong and capable woman, ahead of her time in terms of leadership and education. It also offers a vivid depiction of ancient Palmyra and the political and military tensions of the time. Overall, Zenobia; Or, The Fall Of Palmyra is a fascinating historical novel that explores themes of power, leadership, and gender.
William Ware (1797-1852) was an American author and journalist, known primarily for his historical novels. He was born in Hingham, Massachusetts and attended Harvard University, where he studied theology. After completing his studies, he became a Unitarian minister and served in several congregations. Ware began writing historical novels, drawing inspiration from his extensive research into ancient history and literature. His most famous work is Zenobia; Or, The Fall Of Palmyra, which was published in 1837 and became a bestseller. The novel was widely praised for its vivid portrayal of ancient life and its sympathetic depiction of Zenobia as a powerful and intelligent leader. In addition to Zenobia, Ware wrote several other historical novels which drew on his extensive knowledge of ancient history and culture. William Ware died in 1852 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering American historical novelist and a champion of social and political reform.
