The Syrian desert. Third century AD. Zenobia, warrior Queen of Palmyra, moves her forces into battle with Aurelian, Emperor of Rome. Meanwhile, her son is engaged in bizarre chemical experiments with Porphyry, a philosophy student with his own secret.A story of love and adventure at the time of the decline of Imperial Rome as Zenobia makes a stand for independence against the Empire.Zenobia was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the Young Vic, London, in August 1995.