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New statue of ancient Shah highlights Iran’s turn to pre-Islamic past

Amwaj: Iranian authorities have unveiled an imposing statue in Tehran depicting the ancient Persian King Shapur I on horseback, towering over kneeling Roman Emperor Valerian. The move is the latest attempt by the state to deploy pre-Islamic nationalist iconography to promote unity in the aftermath of the June war with Israel. But Iranians remain deeply divided; while some have praised the initiative, others deride it as a disingenuous display of patriotism.

The coverage: The massive installation was unveiled in Tehran’s Enqelab (Revolution) Square on Nov. 7, commemorating the Sasanian Empire’s third-century military victory against the Romans.

- The statue is part of a campaign entitled "You Will Kneel Before Iran Again," inspired by a statement from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

- Tehran’s conservative mayor, Alireza Zakani, told reporters that the installation’s message is “the Iranian nation’s resistance and steadfastness throughout history.”

- State-affiliated media say thousands attended the ceremony to unveil the statue, which included performances by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, several male pop singers and a light show. Notably, unveiled women were also allowed to attend the event—another break from usual state restrictions.

Some commentators welcomed the statue, describing it as a strong reminder of Iran’s ancient past.

- Political commentator Ehsan Movahedian, who is cited by both conservative and pro-reform media, said the move is “encouraging” and argued that the Islamic Republic “has finally realized its mistake in neglecting elements of Iran’s national identity.”

- Abdolmotahar Mohammadkhani, spokesman of the conservative-dominated Tehran City Council, hailed the attendance of the ceremony and asserted that “with the same national solidarity, the enemies will once again kneel before Iran.”

- Mehdi Shadkam, an Iranian studies researcher, praised the installation as “a commendable move in strengthening national identity” but faulted the craftsmanship—a criticism shared by others.

Meanwhile, others saw the installation as an example of the state’s misplaced priorities, characterizing it as an inorganic and politically calculated nationalist turn.

- Reformist commentator Ahmad Zeidabadi found the depiction of a kneeling Valerian distasteful, writing that it is “an image that, rather than inspiring pride, from the standpoint of Iranian national and religious ethics, symbolizes arrogance, conceit, and a kind of pettiness born of triumph over a rival.”

- Ehsan Bodaghi, a pro-reform journalist, said the statue “stands in contrast” to the Islamic Republic’s “45 years of persistent denial of the values of ancient Iran.” He added that if the initiative “is not a political exploitation of Iran’s history, then it is time to officially reconsider decisions such as the [current] content of history textbooks.”

- Maryam Shokrani, another pro-reform journalist, suggested that the statue’s unveiling was ironic, seeing as the authorities “ignore the threats” which cultural heritage sites face and cut the latter’s “meager” budgets.