Battle of Emesa

Part of the Palmyrene War

Date	272
Location	Emesa (now called Homs, in modern Syria)
Result	Roman victory

Belligerents

Roman Empire

Palmyrene Empire

Commanders and leaders

Aurelian

Zenobia
Zabdas

Strength

According to Zosimus: 180,000 total army; perhaps 65,000 engaged, with 5,000 being cavalry

70,000

Casualties and losses

Unknown, but probably light

Heavy

Coordinates: 34°43′N 36°43′E / 34.72°N 36.71°E / 34.72; 36.71

The Battle of Emesa was fought in 272 between Roman and Palmyran forces. The Romans were led by Emperor Aurelian, while the Palmyrans were led by Queen Zenobia and her general Zabdas.

Aurelian had started a campaign to reconquer the secessionist Palmyrene Empire, led by Vaballathus and his mother Queen Zenobia. He had come to the East willing to show his mercy to the Roman peoples of the area, and had defeated Zenobia at the Battle of Immae, near Antioch. Zenobia and her general Zabdas fled to Emesa.

Roman and Palmyrene forces clashed in the plain in front of the city. As at Immae, the Palmyrene heavy cavalry (the clibanarii) was superior to the Roman equivalent. However, the clibanarii dispersed in the pursuit of the Roman cavalry, and were massacred by the Roman infantry. According to Zosimus, the Judean units, with their clubs, slaughtered the armoured Palmyrene horsemen.

Zenobia retreated into Emesa, but later escaped to Palmyra, having failed to recover the treasure from Emesa. While Aurelian attacked and conquered Palmyra, Zenobia fled to Persia, but was captured when she had reached the Euphrates. She was later paraded in the streets of Rome in golden chains as a part of Aurelian's victory triumph, and was later showed mercy. Palmyra however, back under Roman rule, revolted again but was sacked by Aurelian, thus ending Palmyrene civilization.

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