ZENOBIA WHY WE SELECTED ZENOBIA

Zenobia as a Symbol of Diversity in Classics

Zenobia: An ACL Web site for teaching race and ethnicity in the Classics classroom.

What is Zenobia? Zenobia grows out of the work of the ACL Diversity Task Force, which since its inception has been offering panels and workshops on issues of race and ethnicity in Classics. Following the 1999 Summer Institute at the University of Massachusettes, ACL President Sheila Dickison agreed to provide funding to create a Web site which would provide materials for incorporating issues of race and ethnity into the Classics classroom.

Why the name Zenobia? We wanted a name which would suggest the broad expanse of the ancient world as the Greeks and Romans knew it and a name which was not already used by too many others. The competition for the name includes a pistachio nut business, but there is less potential confusion with "Zenobia" than with some other names we tried. In addition, Zenobia is of considerable interest in her own right.

Who was Zenobia? Septimia Zenobia, queen of Palmyra, ruled approximately 250-275 CE and was known for her intelligence and strategic skills. After the death of her husband, Odenathus, Zenobia assumed control in the name of her young son, Vaballathus. Defeating Gallienus' forces, she took over Syria, Bostra, Egypt, and Asia Minor. The emperor Aurelian agreed to grant Vaballanthus his father's rank, but Zenobia soon declared her son to be Augustus. Aurelian marched against and defeated Zenobia, capturing her as well as her sons. Aurelian lead Zenobia in triumph, but he subsequently granted her a pension and a villa at Tibur.

How do I find Zenobia? Use this URL: http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/zenobia/

What does Zenobia include? Zenobia is intended to provide a range of materials including: links to useful online resources, lesson plans, assignments, syllabi, and bibliographies.

How often will the site be updated? During the first year we will update this site on a weekly basis. At present it is not clear how often we will be able to update Zenobia after May, 2001.

Our thanks:We are grateful to the American Classical League for its support of Zenobia. In addition, we area grateful for the support which we have received from the College of Arts and Science of Miami University as well as the Departments of Classics and History.

Image of Zenobia is from Harriet Hosmer: Letters and Memories, edited by Cornelia Carr (New York: Moffat, Yard & Co, 1912) 200.

How can I contribute to Zenobia? We cannot maintain this site without your help. If you have a syllabus, lesson plans, bibliographies, or other materials which you would be willing to share, please email, FAX, mail, or otherwise send those materials to Darlene Brooks Hedstrom or Judith de Luce. Our addresses are below.

Who are the authors of Zenobia?

Darlene Brooks Hedstrom and Judith de Luce for the American Classical League. Copyright 2000. Oxford, OH, USA.