Odaenathus of Palmyra vs Servius Tullius

After Roman Emperor Valerian was captured by the Sassanid king Shapur I, Odaenathus of Palmyra led a successful campaign against the Persians. He defeated Shapur's forces, drove them back across the Euphrates, and secured the Roman eastern frontier.

Roman Emperor Gallienus recognized Odaenathus as King of Palmyra and appointed him Corrector Totius Orientis (Governor of the East). This gave Odaenathus authority over the Roman eastern provinces, effectively making him the ruler of the Roman East.

Odaenathus led a military campaign against the Goths who were raiding Asia Minor. He successfully defeated them, further securing the Roman eastern provinces and demonstrating his military prowess.

Odaenathus was assassinated along with his eldest son Herodianus at Emesa. The assassination was likely orchestrated by his nephew or by his wife Zenobia. This event led to Zenobia taking power in Palmyra.

Servius Tullius instituted the first Roman census, dividing the population into five classes based on wealth. He also reorganized the army and created the Centuriate Assembly, a new political body where voting power was weighted by property, replacing the old tribal system.

Servius Tullius divided Rome into four urban tribes and several rural tribes based on geography, not kinship. This reorganization formed the basis for the Tribal Assembly, which handled administrative and legislative matters, and weakened the power of the old patrician gentes.

Servius Tullius reformed the Roman army, organizing soldiers into centuries based on their wealth class. This created a more professional and effective military force, with each century providing its own equipment, and established the comitia centuriata as a military assembly.

Servius Tullius built the Servian Wall, a massive defensive wall around Rome, enclosing the seven hills. This wall protected the city from external attacks and defined the urban boundary, becoming a symbol of Roman strength and security.

Servius Tullius was murdered by his son-in-law, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, who conspired with Tullia, Servius's daughter. Tarquinius seized the throne after the assassination, and Tullia drove her chariot over her father's body, an act that became infamous in Roman history.