Iran’s new statue of a defeated and captured Roman emperor Kneeling before victorious Persian emperor
by Pepe Escobar [11-8-2025] Pepe Escobar(bio).
(RAD: Think about the symbolism that could be implied about Israel if they try to invade Iran again. — RAD)
NEW: Iran has revealed a new statue in the capital Tehran, depicting the defeated Roman emperor Valerian kneeling before Shapur I, the Shahanshah (King of Kings) of the Sassanian Empire.
Valerian is the only Roman emperor to ever have been taken prisoner by an opposing army, after his entire army of 70,000 men was defeated and captured by the Persians at the Battle of Edessa in 260 AD.
Following the widespread national unity of Iranians during the 12-day war against Israel, the Iranian government has increased its efforts to implement themes of ancient pre-Islamic Persian civilization in streets across the country, aiming to fuel patriotism among certain 'less religious' echelons of Iranian society.