The Story of Zenobia, Tapestry by Tapestry
The twelve tapestries in the series depicting Queen Zenobia of Palmyra at Segovia Cathedral tell the story of the woman who defied the Roman Empire
Marriage of Zenobia and Odaenathus
This tapestry depicts the wedding of Odaenathus with his second wife, queen Zenobia. It shows the presentation of a white floral crown to Zenobia and the gesture of the couple joining hands. The religious ceremony takes place in a temple.
Wedding banquet of Zenobia and Odaenathus
This tapestry follows the one depicting Zenobia’s marriage. The scene is frozen at the moment when Odaenathus raises a cup with his right hand while taking Zenobia’s hand with his left, to which she responds with a blush. The tapestry recreates a natural setting at dusk.
Zenobia leads her army
This tapestry depicts the moment when Zenobia and Odaenathus set out for battle, riding two horses and accompanied by soldiers. As in the other tapestries, the queen stands out due to her proportion. The couple appears in the lower right corner, seen from behind.
Zenobia hunting
Zenobia, accompanied by three servants and scouts, goes out to hunt deer, bears, and even lions. In this tapestry, Zenobia’s grandeur is emphasized, as she is dressed in jeweled trimmings. The scene serves as an allegory of hunting as a sport and pastime for sovereigns.
Aurelian orders the dogs killed
This tapestry depicts the victory of Aurelian’s troops in the city of Tiana, Cappadocia. The triumph is immortalized at the moment when Zenobia, in a posture of submission, hands the keys of the city to the emperor, who is mounted on a horse in front of the entrance.
Wounded Aurelian
Through an exchange of letters, Aurelian asks Zenobia and her army to withdraw, while Zenobia cites Cleopatra and her example of not owing her life to a tyrant, reflecting the prelude to the final battle of Palmyra. This tapestry embodies the struggle between the two.
Zenobia taken prisoner
Zenobia and her ministers appear before the emperor’s tribunal following the defeat of Palmyra. The queen had fled south to Iraq but was captured. In the tapestry, she is shown standing upright before Aurelian, dressed in her royal robes rather than kneeling.
Zenobia participates in Aurelian’s triumph
Zenobia, chained, is led to Rome with her two young children, followed by a retinue of Roman soldiers carrying trophies and white horses. Aurelian rides, on the left, in a triumphal chariot, overseen by a winged Fame blowing long trumpets.
Aurelian on his throne
The anteport matches the last tapestry, as together they depict the same scene. This tapestry, used to cover the doors, shows Aurelian on his throne, surrounded by a border full of fruits.
Promoted by:
Chapter of Segovia Cathedral
Direction and texts:
Adolfo Rubio Pascual-Muerte
Images:
Segovia Cathedral
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