Battle of Edessa
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The Battle of Edessa took place between the armies of the Roman Empire under the command of Emperor Valerian and the Sasanian Empire under Shahanshah Shapur I, in Edessa in 260. The Roman army was defeated and captured in its entirety by the Iranian forces; for the first time, a Roman emperor was taken prisoner.
A rock-face relief dating to the third century at Naqsh-e Rostam, depicting the triumph of Shapur I over the Roman Emperor Valerian.
A fine cameo showing an equestrian single combat (mard o mard) between Shapur I and Valerian in which the latter is seized, according to Shapur's own statement, "with our own hand"
"Shapur Captures the King of Rum", Persian miniature from Shahnameh
Valerian (emperor)
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Valerian was Roman emperor from 253 to spring 260 AD. Valerian is known as the first Roman emperor to have been taken captive in battle, captured by the Persian emperor Shapur I after the Battle of Edessa, causing shock and instability throughout the Roman Empire. The unprecedented event and the unknown fate of the captured emperor generated a variety of different reactions and "new narratives about the Roman Empire in diverse contexts".
Bust of Valerian
Radiate of Valerian
A bas relief of Emperor Valerian standing at the background and held captive by King of Kings Shapur I found at Naqsh-e Rustam, Shiraz, Iran. The kneeling man is probably Philip the Arab.
Cameo of Shapur I capturing Valerian at the Battle of Edessa