Emperor Valerian

Double Aureus (Binio) of Valerian, minted 255-256 in Turkey.

Valerian (Publius Licinius Valerianus) 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. Roman political culture placed supreme value on courage, and emperors followed Augustus’ example by framing their role through displays of virtus. The epithet “Unconquered” (invictus) meant everything to Romans. Ancients expected Valerian to kill himself before being humiliated by capture.

Valerian’s surrender to a foreign enemy in 260 represented a Roman failure of unparalleled magnitude. A Bishapur Bas-Relief shows Roman Emperor Gordian III defeated and trampled under Shapur's horse, while Shapur leads Valerian by the hand for his slavehood. Valerian was probably not skinned alive, nor killed by molten gold. Vivid tales of revenge, flaying, torture and taxidermy came from hostile propaganda. One theory suggests Valerian was kept alive. He and his captured Roman soldiers were put to work on Persian construction projects according to texts.