"Ceasar Captive Before Shapur II", Folio 543r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Aqa Mirak Iranian
Shah Shapur went to Rum disguised as a merchant, but was recognized at Caesar’s court and thrown into prison. Caesar then invaded Iran, causing havoc. A sympathetic young man helped Shapur to escape to Iran, where he gathered an army to take revenge. He captured Caesar but spared his life, castigating him for his evil actions. Aqa Mirak, the last director of the Shahnama project, has minimized the number of figures to heighten the dramatic tension between the protagonists
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