 The Palmyrene armies retreated to Antioch then later Emesa while Aurelian advanced and took the former.The defeat at Emesa forced the Palmyrene armies to evacuate to the capital.The Romans began a siege, and tried to breach the city defenses several times but were repelled, however, the situation worsened, so Zenobia, Vaballathus's mother, left the city and headed east to ask the Sassanians, for help.