Located four kilometers south of the city of Darab, on the southern slope of a mountain known as Pahna, there is a relief from the Sassanian era that depicts the great victory of the second Sassanian ruler, Shapur I, over the Roman emperors Valerian, Gordian III, and Philip the Arab. In this carving, Shapur is shown mounted on a horse, prominently displayed in the center of the relief. This relief is situated above a spring and a reed-filled pond, with dimensions of 9.10 meters in length and 5.40 meters in width. Shapur I was about 63 years old at the time of his victory over Emperor Valerian. This relief was carved immediately after the victory.
In this relief, Shapur is not wearing his usual crown but a crown similar to that of his father, Ardashir I. His left hand is placed on Valerian’s head, and in his right hand, he holds a flat, square object. The horse is beautifully carved by the artist. Under the horse’s feet lies a Roman emperor. Behind Shapur, 18 high-ranking Iranians are standing. To Shapur’s right, facing him, are the Romans. In front of him stands a Roman emperor with his head bowed, appearing thoughtful. Another emperor is rushing towards Shapur, extending his hands imploringly towards him.
The emperor lying under the horse’s feet is Gordian III, who was killed at the age of 19 in Meshe on the banks of the Euphrates. In this relief, due to his young age, he is depicted without a beard. The emperor on whose head Shapur places his hand is Philip the Arab, who bought peace from Shapur for half a million dinars after Gordian’s death. The peace treaty was signed in 244 AD. The third emperor is Valerian, who was captured by Shapur in Edessa in 260 AD.
