Valerian

This Roman general was proclaimed Emperor of Rome, A.D. 254.

He was of noble birth and unblemished character, and was in every way worthy to reign.

In an expedition against Persia in A.D. 260, he was defeated, and taken prisoner; and when he asked for a private conference with the Persian king, Sapor, the king seized him, and carried him in triumph to his capital.

Valerian was exposed in all the cities of Persia to the ridicule and insolence of the people; and, when Sapor mounted his throne, he used Valerian as his footstool.

After every insult had been heaped upon Valerian, by the monarch's order he was flayed alive, and salt thrown over his quivering flesh, so that he died in the greatest agony.

His skin was then stuffed, and painted scarlet; and, that the ignominy of the Roman Empire might be lasting, the effigy was nailed up in a Persian temple. Valerian died after a reign of seven years, aged seventy-one.