Vaballathus became king of Palmyra at the age of about 8, after the death of his father, Odaenathus, who had carved out a large power base in the wake of the capture of Valerian, but remained nominally under Roman jurisdiction. Vaballathus's mother, Zenobia, effectively ruled the kingdom, and brought Egypt under Palmyrene control. As a subservient king to Rome, Vaballathus's coins show both him and Aurelian, the Roman Emperor. The peace did not last, however, and Zenobia was forced to declare herself empress and her son emperor. This state of affairs was short-lived, however, and Vaballathus and his mother were captured and taken to Rome, their fate thereafter is unknown.

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