On 7^th November, 2025, Iranians gathered in large numbers at Enghelab (Revolution) Square, in central Tehran for the unveiling of a statue celebrating an ancient Persian victory over foreign enemies. Reportedly, it was a show of defiance against Iran’s modern-day adversaries. The monument depicts the triumph of ancient imperial Iran over the might of ancient imperial Rome. The Zoroastrian King Shapur I, son of Ardashir Babakan – founder of the Sasanian Dynasty, is seen sitting astride his horse and emperor Valerian of Rome is seen kneeling before the great Sasanian King in supplication.

This new statue is modelled and inspired around an original engraving in rock at Naqsh-e-Rustom situated approximately eighty kilometres from the city of Shiraz. This original bas-relief was carved around the time of the original victory in in the year 260 CE.

Massive displays at the square also showed mythical heroes from Persian literature, including Rostam Pehlavan, the legendary warrior from the epic Shahnameh, (Book of Kings.) One could see the depiction of an ancient Persian warrior (Rostam) and a modern Iranian soldier, both holding the same spear and inscribed on their shields in Farsi the slogan: “You will kneel before Iran again.” This recent event follows a similar one held in June 2025, when Iran unveiled a fifteen-metre bronze statue weighing six tons of Arash the Archer, a legendary hero, in Vanak Square in northern Tehran. The event in June also coincided with the ancient Iranian feast of Tirgan.

Davood Goodarzi of the Tehran Municipality, which organised the event, stated that the project was conceived and executed under the guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The statue of King Shahpur, temporarily placed at Enghelab Square, will soon be relocated to a main city entrance for greater visibility to diplomats and tourists. The unveiling was complemented by free concerts from five Iranian pop singers. It is heartening to see Iran’s leaders publicly honour the contributions of ancient Persian heroes like Rustom, Arash the Archer and King Shahpur of the Sasanian era.

When Ancient Iran Brought The Might Of Rome To Its Knees

The Sasanians came to power in the third century CE. Ardashir proclaimed himself king in 224 CE and within just a few years, marched into Mesopotamia (modern-day Turkey, Iraq and Syria) which the Romans had captured from the Parthians, who were the predecessors of the Sasanians. He met with some success in around 230 CE. However, it was his son and successor, Shapur I, who took his father’s dream to another level.

In 244 CE, Shapur I defeated a Roman army, resulting in the death of Emperor Gordian III. Over the following decade, he launched a series of brilliant campaigns across Iraq, Syria and Turkey, crushing two large Roman armies and capturing numerous cities. By 253 CE, Shapur had seized Antioch, one of the Roman Empire’s most prized cities – a devastating blow to Roman prestige. Yet the most extraordinary triumph came in 260 CE, when Emperor Valerian himself was captured after the Battle of Edessa, marking the only time in history that a Roman emperor was taken alive. Valerian and thousands of Roman prisoners were brought to Persia, where legend holds they built a bridge over the River Karun at Shushtar. The magnificent remains of this structure, known as Band-e Qaysar or Caesar’s Bridge, stand to this day as testimony to Shapur’s might.

Across the Persian Empire, grand depictions of Shapur’s victories over Rome were displayed, many surviving as rock reliefs. The most famous lies at Bishapur in southern Iran, where Shapur built his splendid palace. The relief shows him mounted on horseback, trampling the fallen Emperor Gordian III, holding captive Emperor Valerian by the hand, while Philip I, Gordian’s successor, kneels before him pleading for Rome’s defeated army.

The new statue recently unveiled in Tehran appears to be a partial copy of a celebratory Sasanian rock bas-relief at Naqsh-e-Rustam. The kneeling figure is believed to be emperor Valerian. However, some scholars would debate that the kneeling figure depicts Philip I, also known as Philip the Arab since he was born in the then Roman territory of Arabia. Shapur’s great victories over the Romans still remains a source of national Iranian pride.

Greatness Of King Shahpur

Shapur was among the great kings of the Sasanian dynasty, whose legacy remains endearing in the hearts of all Iranians. His challenge, as he set about consolidating the new regime, established by his father Ardeshir involved not just military conquests and the consolidation of the frontiers but also remodelling the Parthian institutions which he inherited in favour of a more centralised state.

Shapur I was a remarkable intellectual who encouraged the translation of Greek and Indian works on subjects ranging from medicine to philosophy. Gifted with both strength and wisdom, he sought to revive and preserve the ancient teachings of the Zoroastrian faith. The ninth-century Dēnkard records that King Shapur collected scattered religious and scientific texts from distant lands – India, Byzantium and beyond, covering knowledge of medicine, astronomy, creation and transformation. He integrated these with the Avesta, ordered copies preserved in the royal treasury, and endeavoured to harmonise all wisdom with the Mazda-worshipping faith, reflecting his vision of spiritual and intellectual unity.

In all records and inscriptions Shapur calls himself Mazdayasn (worshipper of Mazda.) His inscription at the Ka’ba-e-Zartosht (which was a structure with an ancient fire burning within,) proclaims himself as an ‘Instrument of Mazda’. He also records having installed fires of victory (Atash Bahram) in every province and giving respect and encouragement to the clergy and even taking the clergy and his High Priest Kardir with him on his battle campaigns.