numerous troops from Africa, Tyane, Mesopotamia, Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine. You know that I faced a military force as imposing as it would be needed to conquer the whole world. But I did not lose courage in the face of this. You know that I defended the ramparts of Palmyra with as much valor as strategy, and that Aurelian himself was seriously injured by an arrow, perhaps shot from my hand. The gods know that I preserved my life to preserve your freedom. Since my arrival at Rome, I have learned that the world will know that I did not abandon the throne that was your due without defending myself. Aurelian wrote with his own hand to Mucapor, his friend, that it was true that he was waging war against a woman, but a woman who had more archers in her service than if it had been a man. A woman who demonstrated prudence in the face of danger, and who, through her discernment, had prepared such a large army to oppose his conquests that it was impossible to imagine the prodigious number of arrows and stones at her disposal. In the end, he found every inch of the walls of Palmyra defended by multiple siege engines. His troops continuously launched projectiles at ours. In reality, he pretended that because I was a woman, I was afraid of battle, but he was fighting as someone who was afraid. 

This, my daughters, is what my enemy said about me. However, he was wrong to say that I was afraid. When he sent me an offer of life and pardon, on condition that I hand over Palmyra, all my precious stones, and all my treasures to him, I replied with such firmness that it offended him. I remember, among other things that I told him, I pointed out that no one before him had told me what they wanted from me because no one had subdued me. "Remember," I declared, "that honor must guide both the affairs of war and those of peace. Moreover, I inform you that the aid of the Persians which we await will not fail us. On our side, we have the Armenians and the Saracens. And if the raiders from Syria have conquered your armies, Aurelian, what will happen when we have the forces we are expecting from all sides? Then you will lose a part of that excessive pride with which you order me to surrender as if you were fully victorious." You see, my daughters, while you were at the temples praying to the gods, I did my best to protect you and not to tarnish my own glory. Then, you know how Aurelian defeated the Persians who were coming to our aid. Seeing that it was impossible to save this city, I at least wanted to put myself in safety. But fate, which had decided my fall, eventually made of Aurelian my conqueror and me his captive. As soon as he saw me, he asked me how I had dared to attack Roman emperors and take their forces. Aurelian said to me: "I recognize you as a legitimate emperor, for you know how to win. I have never considered the likes of Gallienus and his ilk as such." So far, my daughters, you cannot accuse me of lacking courage. I once wore a crown without arrogance, I had enough hand...

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