Zebba and Jadhima

I spent the majority of this wet Easter cooped up in a cabin in Marysville, reading about Palmyra for an essay which is due on Friday. Richard Stoneman’s account of Zenobia’s uprising is just the kind of historical work I love; it’s tight, engaging, and filled with interesting sidetracks. In chapter 7 of Palmyra and Its Empire, he ventures into the works of ninth century Arab historian Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari, recalling the meeting between the queen of Palmyra (here she is named Zebba) and the king of the Tanukh people, where they are to discuss a marriage proposal…

The two parties met at a place called Rabbat-Malik-ibn-Tauk. The accounts of the meeting vary slightly, but the central feature is that Zebba responds to Jadhima’s assent to the idea of a marriage by lifting her skirts to reveal her private parts. The length and quality of her pubic hair (the name Zebba means “with beautiful long hair”) astonishes Jadhima, and Zebba remarks that one with such an appearance is hardly a suitable bride for him. The point being made is not altogether clear, but the scene recalls interestingly the meeting of Solomon and the queen of Sheba, when the king induces the queen to walk across a mirror that he pretends is a stream, As she lifts her skirt to do so, Solomon catches sight of her hairy legs and ceases to find her attractive.

As it turns out, Zebba’s beautiful muff wasn’t the only the only reason she agreed to the meeting, for she also planned to besiege Jadhima, her arch rival.

A squadron of Zebba’s cavalry now surrounded Jadhima, unhorsed him, and brought him to the queen. “How do you wish to die?” she asked. And he replied, “Like a king”. He was served a meal, with plenty of wine. As he began to doze off with the effects of the alcohol, he was placed in a leather blanket and the veins of his wrists were opened. His blood was collected in vases, since it was believed that the blood of kings had special virtues against madness.