As Rome was weakened by internal strife, Shapur I of Persia saw his chance and marched upon the eastern Roman provinces. From the state of Palmyra rose a leader, Odaenathus, who repelled the Persian forces and consolidated the east in the name of Rome, but at the price of styling himself king. He was succeeded by his son, Vaballathus, a boy of ten; however, the true ruler was the regent Queen Zenobia, who aspired to imperial ambitions.
Palmyra (Empire Divided)
- Defenders of Civilisation: +15% morale for all units during battles in own or allied territory
- True Rome: Roman factions share a major diplomatic penalty with other Roman factions