Wahballat

Its complete Latin name was Lucius Julius Aurelius Septimius Vaballathus Athenodorus , in palmyrénien Wahballat (the Arab goddess Allat was comparable with the Greek goddess Athéna. In palmyrénien, Wahballat means “gift of Allat”, whereas in Athénodoros Greek means “gift of Athéna”). It was wire of Palmyrénien Odénath and his wife Zénobie.

After the assassination of his/her father in 267, it is his/her mother Zénobie who assumes the authority of Odénath, and makes recognize after 270 by the emperor Aurélien his Wahballat son like heir to his father. In spite of its young age, Wahballat is thus placed at the head of the East like “King, Consul, Imperator and Dux Romanorum”, as attest it the official currencies and inscriptions. Of course, it is Zénobie which assumes the capacity.

After the rupture with Aurélien in 272, Zénobie proclaims Wahballat Auguste and takes itself the title of Augusta. Demolished by Aurélien the following year, Zénobie is judged with Émèse and will be condemned to the exile in Rome. It does not appear that Wahballat, too young, was judged him too. it probably accompanied his mother in Rome and made stock there.

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