{"id":2639,"date":"2025-11-08T08:11:58","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T08:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boraqhamim.ir\/en\/?p=2639"},"modified":"2025-11-08T08:11:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T08:11:58","slug":"those-who-kneeled-before-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boraqhamim.ir\/en\/those-who-kneeled-before-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"Those Who Kneeled Before Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a grand ceremony attended by citizens and city officials, the statue \u201cThose Who Kneeled Before Iran\u201d<\/strong> was unveiled in Revolution Square<\/strong>, symbolizing the enduring historical power and pride of the Iranian nation.<\/h2>\n
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According to Boraq Hamim Art News Agency<\/em> and ISNA<\/em>, the unveiling ceremony took place on Friday morning in Tehran\u2019s 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<\/strong> and the heroic historical narratives of ancient Iran.<\/p>\n

The statue, designed and sculpted by young Iranian artist Payam Ghaaneh<\/strong>, represents the symbolic moment when Valerian, Emperor of Rome<\/strong>, kneeled before Iran \u2014 a scene that has been recorded as one of the most glorious moments of national pride and sovereignty in Iranian history.<\/p>\n

Made of fiberglass<\/strong> and standing over seven meters tall<\/strong>, the sculpture took three months to complete. It will remain in Revolution Square for twenty days before being permanently installed in Azadi Square<\/strong>, one of Tehran\u2019s most iconic locations.<\/p>\n

Surrounding the main piece, a symbolic model of the statue and a visual display titled \u201cThirteen Panels of Iran\u2019s Might\u201d<\/em> have been set up, allowing visitors to experience different layers of Iran\u2019s historical resilience and glory.<\/p>\n

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

Davood Goodarzi<\/strong>, Deputy Mayor of Tehran, stated on the sidelines of the event:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He added:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The event, warmly received by both citizens and tourists, once again demonstrated that Iranian urban art<\/strong> can serve as a powerful voice for the nation\u2019s identity, faith, and endurance<\/strong>. The combination of modern sculptural forms with national and Islamic themes marks an important step toward strengthening the discourse of Iranian-Islamic art<\/strong> in public spaces.<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f 1. Who Was Valerian?<\/h3>\n

Full Latin name: Publius Licinius Valerianus Augustus<\/strong>
\n\ud83d\udcc5 Lived: c. 200\u2013260 CE
\n\ud83d\udc51 Title: Roman Emperor (253\u2013260 CE)<\/p>\n

Valerian was a Roman aristocrat and statesman who rose to power during one of the most turbulent periods in Roman history \u2014 the Crisis of the Third Century<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u2694\ufe0f 2. His Reign<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong> as co-emperor, governing the western provinces while he marched east to confront the Sassanid Persian Empire<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udffa 3. The Clash with Iran<\/h3>\n

At that time, Shapur I<\/strong>, son of Ardashir I<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u2694\ufe0f 4. The Battle of Edessa (260 CE)<\/h3>\n

Near present-day Urfa in Turkey, Valerian\u2019s army suffered a catastrophic defeat against Shapur\u2019s forces. The entire Roman army was destroyed, and Valerian was captured alive<\/strong> \u2014 the only Roman emperor ever to be taken prisoner in battle.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f 5. Valerian\u2019s Fate<\/h3>\n

Persian sources<\/strong>, such as Shapur\u2019s inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam<\/strong>, proudly state:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe captured the Emperor of Rome, Valerian, with our own hands.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The relief depicts Shapur on horseback with Valerian kneeling before him \u2014 the same image reimagined in the new Tehran statue.<\/p>\n

Roman sources<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f 6. Aftermath and Legacy<\/h3>\n

Valerian\u2019s capture weakened Rome\u2019s eastern frontier, while Shapur\u2019s victory strengthened the Sassanid Empire. Shapur relocated skilled Roman prisoners to cities like Bishapur<\/strong> and Gondishapur<\/strong>, leading to a cultural and scientific renaissance in Persia.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd4a\ufe0f 7. Symbolism<\/h3>\n

Over time, Valerian\u2019s story evolved from a historical event into a symbol of two civilizations confronting one another \u2014 Rome and Persia<\/strong>.
\nIn Iranian tradition, it represents the triumph of dignity and resilience; in Roman accounts, it symbolizes imperial downfall.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdc 8. Ancient Sources<\/h3>\n
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  1. Shapur I\u2019s trilingual inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam<\/li>\n
  2. Ecclesiastical History<\/em> by Eusebius of Caesarea<\/li>\n
  3. Historia Augusta<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Annals<\/em> by Zonaras and Zosimus<\/li>\n
  5. Early Christian texts mentioning Valerian\u2019s captivity<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    \ud83e\udded Analysis<\/h3>\n

    The unveiling of \u201cThose Who Kneeled Before Iran\u201d<\/strong> is not merely an artistic event but a symbolic act of cultural diplomacy<\/strong>. Through the language of art, it projects messages of strength, unity, and national pride<\/strong>, linking Iran\u2019s ancient heritage to its modern identity.<\/p>\n

    The strong public participation demonstrated that Iranians continue to feel deeply connected to their historical and mythological symbols<\/strong>, reaffirming the enduring bond between the nation\u2019s past glory and present identity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n