By: Mir M.Hosseini
The Iranian army headed by Shapour I defeated the Roman army and entered the northern Selucus city also known as Zogma by the Euphrates. Zogma was the main garrison of the Roman army in Mesopotamia. Shapour I immediately ordered his officers to preserve artworks as they were. Centuries later during excavations that took place before the city went underwater because of construction of a dam in Turkey, statues, mosaics, and tunnels still remained intact. These precious artifacts were taken to museums to be preserved for future generations. The city had once been destroyed after an earthquake and historical objects remained under rubble while natives moved to a nearby place. The significance of Shapour's order means a lot to people who try to bring things of the past into light. Comparing it to conquerors who burn cities and destroy signs of ancient civilizations makes a distinction between civilized and barbaric.