Palmyrene invasion of Egypt

The Palmyrene invasion of Egypt occurs in the summer, or possibly in October, of CE 270 when the forces of Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, led by her general Zabdas and aided by an Egyptian general named Timagenes, invade and subsequently annex Egypt, which is under control of the Roman Empire at thistime.

The invasion of Egypt is sometimes explained by Zenobia's desire to secure an alternative trade route to the Euphrates, which has been cut because of the war with the Sasanian Empire, although the Euphrates route has been only partially disrupted, and Zenobia's personal ambition and political motivation to establish Palmyrene dominance over the east definitely pla a part in her decision to invade Egypt.

The invasion coincides with, or probably even causes, serious unrest in Egypt, whose people are split between supporting and defying the approaching Palmyrene army.

What also makes the situation worse for the Romans is that the prefect of Egypt, Tenagino Probus, is at this time preoccupied with naval expeditions against pirates.

The Palmyrenes enter Alexandria, and leave a garrison of five thousand, although shortly after, Probus is alerted of the situation in Egypt and quickly returns there.

He recaptures Alexandria, but his success is short lived when the Palmyrene army regains control of the city.

Probus retreats to Babylon Fortress.

Timagenes, a native of Egypt with knowledge of the land, ambushes the Roman rear and captures the fortress.

Tenagino Probus ends up committing suicide, and the Palmyrenes consolidate their dominion over Egypt.

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