Page "Valerian (emperor)" Paragraph 9

An early Christian source, Lactantius, maintained that for some time prior to his death Valerian was subjected to the greatest insults by his captors, such as being used as a human footstool by Shapur when mounting his horse.

According to this version of events, after a long period of such treatment Valerian offered Shapur a huge ransom for his release.

In reply, according to one version, Shapur was said to have forced Valerian to swallow molten gold ( the other version of his death is almost the same but it says that Valerian was killed by being flayed alive ) and then had the unfortunate Valerian skinned and his skin stuffed with straw and preserved as a trophy in the main Persian temple.

It was further alleged by Lactantius that it was only after a later Persian defeat against Rome that his skin was given a cremation and burial.

The role of a prince held hostage by Shapur I, in the events following the death of Valerian has been frequently debated by historians, without reaching any definitive conclusion.