Zenobia found by shepherds on the banks of the Araxes. (1850)

Facial exspression of the weary, dying Zenobia.

Facial exspression of the weary, dying Zenobia.

Reaching for water      Reaching for water.

A Worried young woman looks on.

A Worried young woman looks on.

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Bouguereau won the coveted Prix de Rome in 1850, with his Zenobia Found by Shepherds on the Banks of the Araxes, which earned him a four year stay at the Villa Medici in Rome

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Zenobia found by shepherds on the banks of the Araxes. (1850)

Who was Zenobia?

Rhadamistus, son of King Parsman I of Iberia (Pharasmanes), was known for his ambition, good looks, and valor. Parsman, fearing usurpation by his son, convinced Rhadamistus to make war upon his uncle, King Mithridates of Armenia, Parsman’s brother, and father of Rhadamistus' wife, Zenobia. The Iberians invaded with a large army and forced Mithridates into the fortress of Gorneas (Garni), which was garrisoned by the Romans under the command of Caelius Pollio, a prefect, and Casperius, a centurion. Pollio, swayed by Rhamistus' bribery, induced the Roman soldiers to threaten capitulation of the garrison. Under this compulsion, Mithridates agreed to surrender to his nephew. Rhadamistus executed Mithridates and his sons despite a promise of non-violence, and became King of Armenia .

Rome decided not to aid their Armenian allies, only nominally demanding that Pharasmanes withdraw from Armenia. The Roman governor of Cappadocia, Paelignus, invaded Armenia anyway, ravaging the country. Syrian governor Quadratus sent a force to restore order, but he was recalled so as not to provoke a war with Parthia, whose King Vologases took the opportunity to send his army into Armenia, driving out the Iberians . A winter epidemic forced the Parthians to withdraw from Armenia, allowing Rhadamistus to return. He punished as traitors those Armenian cities that had surrendered to the Parthians. They soon revolted and replaced him with the Parthian prince Tiridates . Rhadamistus had to escape along with his pregnant wife, Zenobia, of whom Tacitus relates a romantic story. Unable to bear a long ride on horse, she convinced her husband to kill her so she would not fall into the hands of their pursuers. Though stabbed and left at the banks of the Araxes, Zenobia survived and was found by some shepherds. They carried Zenobia to the court of Tiridates, who received her kindly and treated her as royalty.

Rhadamistus himself returned to Iberia. However, he was soon put to death by his father for having plotted against the royal power.

The above information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhadamistus

 

 

 

 

 

          

Zenobia found by shepherds-William Bouguereau.  The contents of this page is the sole property of www.arts-crafts-hobbiesanddiy.com. Copyright © 2010 ACHD