SAEDNEWS: In a message posted to an Instagram page linked to the office of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the selective presentation of history, urging Iranian officials to highlight moments of national pride — such as the Roman emperor Valerian's surrender to a Persian king — instead of dwelling on past defeats.
According to Saed News, a recent post on a social media account affiliated with the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has drawn attention for its pointed commentary on historical representation. Coinciding with the national observance of "Greek Day" on the Iranian calendar, the post quoted remarks by the Supreme Leader regarding how ancient empires — particularly Greece and Rome — are remembered in relation to Iran.
Recalling a story relayed to him by a traveler who had visited Greece, the Supreme Leader said: “They took us to various tourist sites, including a barren plain. They said, ‘This is where the Iranians were defeated by our forces.’ They show visitors an empty desert and claim it as historical evidence of Iran’s defeat.”
Contrasting this with lesser-known yet significant episodes in Iran’s own history, Khamenei added, “Near Kazeroon — from what I’ve heard — there’s a statue of [Roman Emperor] Valerian kneeling before the Persian king. Well, go and show that to the people! Why focus on a desolate plain that marks a loss? Show them this instead!”
The reference is to the historic event in 260 AD when the Sasanian emperor Shapur I captured the Roman Emperor Valerian — a rare and humiliating moment in Roman history. A rock relief near the ancient city of Bishapur in Iran’s Fars province famously depicts this scene.
In highlighting the disparity between how history is commemorated abroad versus domestically, Khamenei’s remarks suggest a broader cultural critique — one that challenges Iranian officials and institutions to reclaim and elevate moments of historical strength rather than perpetuating narratives of subjugation.
The message has been widely interpreted as a call for a more assertive and pride-based historical storytelling in Iranian public life and education — emphasizing victories and resistance over colonial or imperial setbacks.
