Three more years passed. Valerian, Emperor of Rome, leading his legions to war with Sapor, whom men called the “Great King,” had fallen a victim to the treachery and traps of the Persian monarch, and was held a miserable prisoner in the Persian capital, where, richly robed in the purple of the Roman emperors and loaded with chains, he was used by the savage Persian tyrant as a living horse-block for the sport of an equally savage court. In Palmyra, Hairan was dead, and young Odhainat, his brother, was now Septimus Odaenathus--“headman” of the city and to all appearances the firm friend of Rome. There were great rejoicings in Palmyra when the wise Zenobia--still scarce more than a girl--and the fearless young “head-man” of the desert republic were married in the marble city of the palm-trees, and her shrewd counsels brought still greater triumphs to Odaenathus and to Palmyra. In the great market-place or forum, Odaenathus and Zenobia awaited the return of their messengers to Sapor. For the “Great King,” having killed and stuffed the captive Roman Emperor, now turned his arms against the Roman power in the east and, destroying both Antioch and Emesa, looked with an evil eye toward Palmyra. Zenobia, remembering the omen of the eagle and the lion, repeated her counsel of facing craft with craft, and letters and gifts had been sent to Sapor, asking for peace and friendship. There is a hurried entrance through the eastern gate of the city, and the messengers from the Palmyrean senate rush into the Market-place. “Your presents to the Great King have been thrown into the river, O Odaenathus,” they reported, “and thus sayeth Sapor of Persia: ‘Who is this Odaenathus, that he should thus presume to write to his lord? If he would obtain mitigation of the punishment that awaits him, let him fall prostrate before the foot of our throne, with his hands bound behind his back. Unless he doeth this, he, his family, and his country shall surely perish!’” Swift to wrath and swifter still to act, Zenobia sprang to her feet. “Face force with force, Odaenathus. Be strong and sure, and Palmyra shall yet humble the Persian.” Her advice was taken. Quickly collecting the troops of Palmyra and the Arabs and Armenian who were his allies, the fearless “head-man” fell upon the army of the haughty Persian king, defeated and despoiled it, and drove it back to Persia. As Gibbon, the historian says: “The majesty of Rome, oppressed by a Persian, was protected by an Arab of Palmyra.” For this he was covered with favors by Rome; made supreme commander in the East, and, with Zenobia as his adviser and helper, each year made Palmyra stronger and more powerful.