difference in capability between man and woman is due entirely to
opportunity and education. Heretofore woman has been denied the right and
privilege of equal development. If equal opportunity be granted her, there
is no doubt she would be the peer of man. History will evidence this. In
past ages noted women have arisen in the affairs of nations and surpassed
men in their accomplishments. Among them was Zenobia, Queen of the East,
whose capital was Palmyra. Even today the site of that city bears witness
to her greatness, ability and sovereignty; for there the traveler will
find ruins of palaces and fortifications of the utmost strength and
solidity built by this remarkable woman in the third century after Christ.
She was the wife of the governor-general of Athens. After her husband's
death she assumed control of the government in his stead and ruled her
province most efficiently. Afterward she conquered Syria, subdued Egypt
and founded a most wonderful kingdom with political sagacity and
thoroughness. The Roman Empire sent a great army against her. When this
army replete with martial splendor reached Syria, Zenobia herself appeared
upon the field leading her forces. On the day of battle she arrayed
herself in regal garments, placed a crown upon her head and rode forth,
sword in hand, to meet the invading legions. By her courage and military
strategy the Roman army was routed and so completely dispersed that they
were not able to reorganize in retreat. The government of Rome held
consultation, saying, "No matter what commander we send, we cannot
overcome her; therefore, the Emperor Aurelian himself must go to lead the
legions of Rome against Zenobia." Aurelian marched into Syria with two
hundred thousand soldiers. The army of Zenobia was greatly inferior in
size. The Romans besieged her in Palmyra two years without success.
Finally, Aurelian was able to cut off the city's supply of provisions so
that she and her people were compelled by starvation to surrender. She was
not defeated in battle. Aurelian carried her captive to Rome. On the day
of his entry into the city he arranged a triumphal procession--first
elephants, then lions, tigers, birds, monkeys--and after the monkeys,
Zenobia. A crown was upon her head, a chain of gold about her neck. With
queenly dignity and unconscious of humiliation, looking to the right and
left, she said, "Verily, I glory in being a woman and in having withstood
the Roman Empire." (At that tim