The Triumph of Shapur I at Naqsh-e Rostam is one of the most remarkable rock reliefs from the Sasanian era, vividly depicting the Persian king’s victory over Rome. Carved into the cliff face near the tombs of Achaemenid kings, this grand relief immortalizes Shapur I’s dominance over the Roman Empire in the mid-3rd century AD.

In the relief, Emperor Philip the Arab is shown kneeling before Shapur I, symbolizing his plea for peace after the Roman defeat at the Battle of Misiche (244 AD). Philip had to negotiate a humiliating treaty, which may have included a large ransom to secure peace with the Persians.

Standing behind them is Emperor Valerian, depicted in an even more humiliating position—held as a captive by Shapur I. In 260 AD, Valerian suffered a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Edessa, leading to his capture, making him the first Roman emperor to be taken prisoner alive. Roman sources claim that Valerian was subjected to cruel treatment, while Persian accounts emphasize the glory of Shapur’s victory.

This relief is not just a propaganda piece; it symbolizes the shift of power in the ancient world. Rome, long considered invincible, was now at the mercy of the Sasanian Empire. The relief remains a powerful testament to Persian imperial might, proudly displayed at Naqsh-e Rostam, where the legacy of Persian kings endures.