Those Who Kneeled Before Iran

In a grand ceremony attended by citizens and city officials, the statue “Those Who Kneeled Before Iran” was unveiled in Revolution Square, symbolizing the enduring historical power and pride of the Iranian nation.

According to Boraq Hamim Art News Agency and ISNA, the unveiling ceremony took place on Friday morning in Tehran’s Revolution Square with a large turnout of people, artists, and municipal officials. The event showcased a new manifestation of the fusion between Iranian-Islamic art and the heroic historical narratives of ancient Iran.

The statue, designed and sculpted by young Iranian artist Payam Ghaaneh, represents the symbolic moment when Valerian, Emperor of Rome, kneeled before Iran — a scene that has been recorded as one of the most glorious moments of national pride and sovereignty in Iranian history.

Made of fiberglass and standing over seven meters tall, the sculpture took three months to complete. It will remain in Revolution Square for twenty days before being permanently installed in Azadi Square, one of Tehran’s most iconic locations.

Surrounding the main piece, a symbolic model of the statue and a visual display titled “Thirteen Panels of Iran’s Might” have been set up, allowing visitors to experience different layers of Iran’s historical resilience and glory.

During the unveiling, the Tehran Symphony Orchestra performed live, while popular Iranian singers such as Hamed Homayoun, Ragheb, Garsha Rezaei, and Homay performed epic pieces, filling the square with a spirit of national pride and authentic Iranian art. The ceremony also featured live performances, fireworks, and dramatic reenactments of ancient Persian battles, creating a magnificent cultural and artistic atmosphere.

Davood Goodarzi, Deputy Mayor of Tehran, stated on the sidelines of the event:

“This statue is a reminder that throughout history, anyone who sought to invade Iran eventually knelt before the will of this nation. The goal of this artwork is to commemorate the dignity and honor of a people who have never bowed to any enemy.”

He added:

“The idea for this statue emerged after the twelve-day imposed war and was realized with the support of Tehran Municipality. Following its temporary display in Revolution Square, it will be permanently installed in Azadi Square to remain as an enduring symbol of the capital.”

The event, warmly received by both citizens and tourists, once again demonstrated that Iranian urban art can serve as a powerful voice for the nation’s identity, faith, and endurance. The combination of modern sculptural forms with national and Islamic themes marks an important step toward strengthening the discourse of Iranian-Islamic art in public spaces.

🏛️ 1. Who Was Valerian?

Full Latin name: Publius Licinius Valerianus Augustus
📅 Lived: c. 200–260 CE
👑 Title: Roman Emperor (253–260 CE)

Valerian was a Roman aristocrat and statesman who rose to power during one of the most turbulent periods in Roman history — the Crisis of the Third Century.

⚔️ 2. His Reign

Rome faced simultaneous crises: internal rebellions, Germanic invasions from the north, and Persian expansion in the east. Valerian became emperor after the death of Trebonianus Gallus and appointed his son Gallienus as co-emperor, governing the western provinces while he marched east to confront the Sassanid Persian Empire.

🏺 3. The Clash with Iran

At that time, Shapur I, son of Ardashir I, ruled Persia. A strong and visionary king, Shapur sought to restore the former glory of the Achaemenid Empire. He launched multiple successful campaigns into Roman territories, capturing major cities like Antioch.

⚔️ 4. The Battle of Edessa (260 CE)

Near present-day Urfa in Turkey, Valerian’s army suffered a catastrophic defeat against Shapur’s forces. The entire Roman army was destroyed, and Valerian was captured alive — the only Roman emperor ever to be taken prisoner in battle.

🏛️ 5. Valerian’s Fate

Persian sources, such as Shapur’s inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam, proudly state:

“We captured the Emperor of Rome, Valerian, with our own hands.”

The relief depicts Shapur on horseback with Valerian kneeling before him — the same image reimagined in the new Tehran statue.

Roman sources, on the other hand, claim that Valerian was humiliated in captivity and eventually died in Persia. However, many historians believe these accounts were exaggerated to provoke anti-Persian sentiment in Rome.

🏗️ 6. Aftermath and Legacy

Valerian’s capture weakened Rome’s eastern frontier, while Shapur’s victory strengthened the Sassanid Empire. Shapur relocated skilled Roman prisoners to cities like Bishapur and Gondishapur, leading to a cultural and scientific renaissance in Persia.

🕊️ 7. Symbolism

Over time, Valerian’s story evolved from a historical event into a symbol of two civilizations confronting one another — Rome and Persia.
In Iranian tradition, it represents the triumph of dignity and resilience; in Roman accounts, it symbolizes imperial downfall.

📜 8. Ancient Sources

1. Shapur I’s trilingual inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam
2. Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius of Caesarea
3. Historia Augusta
4. Annals by Zonaras and Zosimus
5. Early Christian texts mentioning Valerian’s captivity

🧭 Analysis

The unveiling of “Those Who Kneeled Before Iran” is not merely an artistic event but a symbolic act of cultural diplomacy. Through the language of art, it projects messages of strength, unity, and national pride, linking Iran’s ancient heritage to its modern identity.

The strong public participation demonstrated that Iranians continue to feel deeply connected to their historical and mythological symbols, reaffirming the enduring bond between the nation’s past glory and present identity.