The peace talks between America and Iran in Islamabad broke down or rather both the countries did not reach any conclusion. Four-five days have passed since the 15-day ceasefire came into effect. Meanwhile, US President Trump has again threatened that he will open the Strait of Hormuz to the world at any cost. Whatever has to be done for this, his army will do it. The war lasted for more than a month, a fortnight’s ceasefire was announced in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and soon after the peace talks between the two countries were inconclusive, after Trump’s threat, Iran has given a message to Trump through a meme that it has neither bowed down nor will. In this meme, Trump is shown bowing before the king of Iran riding on a horse.
The meme reminds of the incident when the Roman emperor had to bow before the Persian king because he was defeated in the war. After the latest issue has come to light, it seems necessary to remember that incident of history. What was that matter after all? Who were the kings of Rome and Persia? When did this happen? Come, let us know in detail.
Donald Trump threatened again
America-Iran relations have been going bad for a long time. Tension between these two countries is nothing new. Recently, the matter suddenly worsened again when America and Israel together attacked Iran on 28 February. This war lasted for about a month and a quarter. Then peace talks were also decided. Both the countries sat face to face but nothing happened. Then the American President again gave a threat. He gave a stern warning to Iran on social media. He talked about targeting many important targets of Iran. These also include places with cultural heritage. This statement of Trump became a topic of discussion around the world.
This is that social media post
Bow down to the Iranian civilization pic.twitter.com/7d9eRkVE9n
— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) April 8, 2026
Iranians retaliated through memes
In response to Trump’s threat, the Iranians did not back down. Instead of guns, he took the help of history. A special picture or meme started going viral on social media in Iran. An ancient Iranian king and a Roman emperor are seen in this picture. The message of the meme was clear – Iran has forced the world’s biggest powers to kneel before. Actually this meme is not just a joke. This is reminiscent of a historical event, which is approximately 1700 years old. When Persia i.e. ancient Iran had given a crushing defeat to the world’s greatest power, the Roman Empire.
King Shapur I and Roman Emperor Valerian
This story is from the third century. At that time there were two big powers in the world. On one side was the powerful Roman Empire. On the other hand, Sassanid Empire of Persia. At that time Iran was ruled by King Shapur I. He was a very skilled warrior and ruler. There were continuous wars between the Roman Empire and Persia. Roman Emperor Valerian set out to attack Persia with a large army. He had full confidence in his victory but the Roman army could not stand before the strategy of Shapur I.
King Shapur I and the Roman Emperor Valerian. Photo: AI Generated
Heavy defeat in the battle of Edressa
The battle of Adresa took place in 260 AD. The Roman army was badly defeated in this war. This defeat is important in history because it was the first time a Roman emperor was captured alive. The Sasanian king Shapur I captured the Roman emperor Valerian on the battlefield. This is considered the biggest insult in Roman history. Valerian was the only Roman emperor who was taken prisoner in battle by an enemy country. This incident became a symbol of the power of the Sassanid Empire.
There are many stories of insult prevalent
It is said that Shapur I treated Emperor Valerian very badly. According to some stories, when Shapur I had to sit on his horse after his arrest, he used Valerian’s back as a stepping stone. Valerian had to bend so that the king could step on it and mount the horse.
It is said that when Valerian died during this captivity, his body was filled with straw. It was kept as a trophy in Persia. All this was done so that the power of Persia could be shown to the world. People tell these stories in different ways in Iran. However, modern historians consider these stories to be mere rumours.
King Shapur I. Photo: AI Generated
…but the testimony is recorded in Naqsh-e-Rustam
Even today there is a place named Naqsh-e-Rustam in Iran. There are huge pictures carved on the mountains. One of these pictures is very famous. In this picture King Shapur I is sitting on a horse. In front of him the Roman Emperor Valerian is kneeling and begging for mercy. This is history carved in stone. This is the picture which went viral in Iran after Trump’s threat. Through this the Iranian people want to say that they are not afraid of any great power.
How does history affect politics?
Iran is very proud of its ancient civilization. Whenever any outside country threatens them, they remind them of their glorious past. For the Iranian people, the story of Shapur I and Valerian is a symbol of their bravery. For America, Trump is just a President, but for Iranians, he is like a new age Roman invader. The picture of valerian that went viral on social media is actually a warning. This means that the land may change, weapons may change, but the spirit of Iran is the same as it was during the time of Shapur I. At that time, Rome was the most powerful country in the world and today it is America.
In this way, it can be said that the dispute between Iran and America is not limited only to oil or nuclear weapons. Thousands of years of history and respect are also associated with it. When Persia captured a Roman emperor, it gave a message to the world. Centuries later, the same message is resonating again during the time of Trump. History is once again in front of the world. It is alive as a meme on the internet. It reminds us that wars are fought not only with weapons, but also psychologically. A photo from history is also reminding the world’s biggest superpower of its limits. This history of Iran is taught to the children there even today. As long as those stones of Naqsh-e-Rustom exist, Iran will continue to remind the world of its old power.
Also read: Why is Iran protecting Lebanon from Israeli attacks? Stuck in peace talks with America