The beautiful young Assyrian queen, Septimia Zenobia, has a brief affair with the new Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius. When her husband and oldest son are murdered, an imperial sword is found near the bodies. Convinced she has been betrayed by Rome, Zenobia swears revenge on her lover. While Aurelian battles with his legions to protect Italy from invaders, she conquers the entire eastern Roman Empire. She proclaims her remaining son emperor, and herself Augusta. But when Aurelian marches back into Assyria to regain his lost territories, can Zenobia hold on to what she has gained? And, if she can, is it worth the price?