Palmyra, Blemmyes, Diocletian, and Egypt

We are familiar with some of the invading forces that took control of Egypt during its long history, among them the Hyksos, the Persians, and the Romans, but less well-known is the annexation of Egypt by the Palmyrene Empire in AD 270, and the repeated incursions of the Blemmyes. Rome in crisis During the middle of the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire was experiencing major problems which threatened to destroy it. This period is known as the ‘Crisis of the 3rd Century’ or the ‘Military Anarchy’. There were huge tribal migrations and invasions from the north and from the east, peasant revolts, an epidemic of plague and famine, and a quick succession of emperors, leading to inst