he defeated me. Had Cleopatra followed Octavius' chariot, she would have witnessed many unpleasant subjects while journeying through Rome, who would have blamed her for her past indiscretions. Undoubtedly, the people would have voiced their disapproval by whispering about her mistakes and the causes of her errors. But I, I was certain to see surrounding the chariot I followed only those men I had once conquered, witnesses to my valor and power. I was sure to hear nothing dishonoring, to hear only about my current misfortune and past triumphs. "Behold, the people said, brave Zenobia, behold this woman who has won so many victories. Admire her steadfastness in this situation, does it not seem as though these diamond chains that she wears adorn her more than they restrain her, and that she leads the chariot she follows?" Finally, my daughters, while I was shackled but with golden and gem-studded chains, like a distinguished slave, throughout the splendor of that parade day, undoubtedly the hardest day of servitude, I was free in my heart. I was calm enough to take pleasure in seeing that my perseverance brought tears to some of my foes. Indeed, my daughters, morality has such power that even Roman severity cannot resist it. I have witnessed some of them weeping for Aurelian’s victory and my own misfortune. Allow not your spirit to be shaken by things that cannot touch it once sufficient wisdom has been acquired. All the opulence displayed during triumphs should not intimidate a reasoned spirit. All these golden chariots, these diamond chains, these weaponry trophies, and this crowd gathered to witness the ceremony should instill no fear in a noble person. It is true that my chains were heavy, but when they do not encage the mind, they do not hinder the arms that bear them. For my part, in that dismal state, often have I thought that since fate desired me to follow a chariot that I had myself ordered to celebrate my victory, it may one day be that scepters are made from the very chains that I wore. But should that not happen, grieve not. Instead, concern yourselves more with proving worthy of the throne rather than retaking it. Given my present state of mind, I value a humble, loyal slave more than the mightiest ruler of the world if he lacks generosity. Therefore, my daughters, endeavor to endure your captivity with greater patience. Believe firmly, if I was defeated by Aurelian, it shows that my resistance outdid fate. Throughout my life, it has been evident that I do not fear death so long as it is glorious. I have seen her face, more fearsome than any despaired soul has ever seen it. The dagger of Cato, the sword of Brutus, the burning coals of Portia, the poison of Mithridate or even Cleopatra's asp have nothing frightening about them for me. I have seen a shower of arrows and javelins fall on my head, I have seen hundreds of spears pointed towards my heart, and all this without fear. Do not think that if I had perceived death to be glorious for me, I would not have found her by my own hand. She was used to overcoming others, she would have shattered my chains if she had wanted. But I believed there would be more glory in dragging them after me than in breaking them. There was more honor for me in submitting to the fate that had conquered me than in escaping it by an infamous death.