llently
well learned in the Greke and Latine tongue. Shee did neuer eate
but one Meale a Day. Hir talke was verye lyttle and rare. The
Meate which shee vsed for hir repaste, was either the hanch of a
Wylde Bore, or else the syde of a Deere. Shee could drinke no
Wyne, nor abyde the sent thereof. But shee was so curyous in
good and perfect Waters, as shee would gyue so great a Pryce for
that, as is ordinaryly gyuen for Wyne bee it neuer so excellent.
So soone as the Kinges of Aegypte of Persia, and the Greekes,
were aduertized of the death of Odenatus, they sent theyr
Ambassadours to Zenobia, aswell to visite and comfort hir, as to
bee her confederats and frendes. So much was she feared and
redoubted for her rare vertues. The affayres of Zenobia beinge
in sutch estate in Asia, the Emperor Galienus died in Lombardie,
and the Romanes chose Aurelianus to bee Emperour, who although
he was of a base and obscure lineage, yet hee was of a great
valiance in factes of Armes. When Aurelianus was chosen
Emperour, he made great preparacion into Asia, to inferre warres
vpon Queene Zenobia, and in all hys tyme hee neuer attempted
greater enterprise for the Romanes. When hee was arryued in
Asia, the Emperour proceded agaynst the Queene, and shee as
valiantly defended hir selfe, continually being betwene them
great Alarams and skirmishes. But as Zenobia and hir people were
of lesse trauell and of better skyl in knowledge of the Country,
so they did greater harme and more anoiance vnto theyr Enimy,
and thereof receiued lesser damage. The Emperour seing that hee
should haue mutch adoe to vanquishe Zenobia by armes, determined
to ouercome hir by gentle wordes and fayre promisses: for which
cause he wrote vnto hir a letter, the tenor whereof ensueth.

Aurelianus Emperour of Rome and Lord of al Asia, to the right
honorable Zenobia sendeth greetyng. Although to such rebellyous
Women as thou art, it should seeme vncomely and not decente to
make request, yet if thou wylt seeke ayde of my mercy, and
rendre thy selfe vnder myne obedience, bee assured that I wyll
doe thee honour, and geue pardon to thy people. The Golde,
Siluer, and other riches, within thy Pallace I am content thou
shalt enioy, together with the kingdome of Palmyres, which thou
mayest keepe duringe thy life, and leaue after thy death to whom
thou shalt think good, vpon condicion notwithstandinge, that
thou abandone all thine other Realmes and Countryes which thou
haste in Asia