The Actress Hallie Berry (2002)
Halley Berry would be great as Queen Zenobia.
Western media repeatedly makes movies about Cleopatra, and holds her up as the ideal of sexual allure, and in the meantime sells hair products and assorted beauty creams in her name. Yet, the Ptolmey Queen had to re lie on both Caesar and Antony to retain her power. At the first sign of trouble at Actium didn’t she sail away on her ship leaving Antony to face Octavian alone? What makes Cleopatra so interesting to the public?
Now as for Zenobia, now we are talking about a queen that really kicked ass. She was the third century Syrian queen of the Palmyrene Empire who led a revolt against the Roman Empire. Why aren’t there movies from Hollywood about her? She was the second wife of King Septimus Odaenathus and following his death decided to rule in her son’s name.
Roman Name: Iulia Aurelia Zenobia.
Sir Edward Poynter'sNeo-classical painting: "Zenobia Captive."
Arabic Name: al-Zabba’ bint ‘Amr ibn al-Zarib ibn Hassan ibn Adhinat ibn al-Samida. (This is the best I could do with the font that I am using).
According to Wikipedia she appears to be of Arab ancestry, but her lineage may have included Aramaean and ancient Egyptian. She claimed to be an ancestor of Cleopatra and the Carthaginian Queen Dido. She had knowledge of Egyptian Culture and it is thought her mother was of Egyptian ancestry. Classical and Arabic scholars described her as having a dark complexion, and she was considered beautiful and intelligent.
She bestowed on herself and her son the following titles: Augusta and Augustus. But her most famous title should be: WARRIOR QUEEN.
Hey, I like Cleopatra as much as the next history ‘time-traveler’, but shouldn’t Zenobia get her shot at an Oscar? I think we should start a letter writing campaign?
Address your letters to: Amy Pascal, Sony Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232-3195
Dear Ms. Pascal,
Please cast Ms. Berry as Queen Zenobia…
Rob Cain has traveled extensively through Europe, Italy, and Egypt. He was formerly on active duty with the United States Army. He is a fan of history, and enjoys reading books on the history of Rome. He currently has a podcast presentation on itunes and hipcast. The blog is for the free and open discussion of Ancient Rome based on Mr. Cain's observations noted in his podcast. Most episodes start out with an original dramatic narration written by Mr. Cain. In the podcasts he will include his own unique commentary, and interviews with subject matter experts. Comments are welcome and will be highlighted on the show. 
Episode 10, “Nothing New Under the Sun. Get Over it”, features the book, “The Ancient Guide to Modern Life” written by author, comedian, and TV commentator Natalie Haynes.” Whether political, cultural, or social, there are endless parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Whether it's the murder of Caesar or the political assassination of Thatcher; the narrative arc of the hit HBO series, The Wire, or that of Oedipus; the popular enthusiasm for the Emperor Titus or President Obama – over and over again we can be seen to be living very much like people did 2,000 or more years ago. It's time for us to re-examine the past. Our lives are infinitely richer if we take the time to look at what the Greeks and Romans have given us in politics and law, religion and philosophy and education, and to learn how people really lived in Athens, Rome, Sparta and Alexandria. 
This is a book with a serious point to make but the author isn't just a classicist but a comedian and broadcaster who has made television and radio documentaries about humor, education and Dorothy Parker. This is a book for us all, not for an elite.
Rob, you’re right. I’ve written a whole book about Zenobia in the (vain) hope it would lead to a movie. Meanwhile, see my blog Zenobia: Empress of the East for all kinds of information on Zenobia and her world.
I am going to spend some time reading your blog. You are more than welcome to make a guest post here on Ancient Rome Refocused (with full credit to yourself of course).
I shall definitely seek out your book.
Thanks for the invitation. I will certainly keep it in mind … but first will follow your blog a bit to get the feel of it (it’s new to me). My book is Out of Print. Try ebay … or wait for the ebook which I am preparing. I’ve got it scheduled for a January debut; fingers crossed.
That sounds like a plan. As I said you are more than welcome to post as a guest editor. It can be to promote something, or to correct something horrid that you might read or hear on my blog or podcast. I tell my listener’s (readers) that I seek to entertain and educate, and will always try to keep it “colored within the lines of the facts.” By the way, I am going to buy your book. Do you mind if I get it for the GBP price?