As the mantle of night withdrew and the sun's radiant banner crested the horizon, King Shapur summoned his chief scribe, calling for silk, musk, and inkstand. Victory edicts were drafted to every monarch and magnate across the known world. The preamble resounded with profound praise for the Almighty Creator, the sole source of all goodness and sovereign strength who guides time itself. The letters declared how Caesar of Rome had forsaken divine command, sowing seeds of wickedness upon Iranian soil, only to end in bitter misery, his armies shattered and the crown of Iran restored to its rightful lord.
Swift messengers rode out to every corner of the earth while Shapur made his triumphant entry into the imperial capital of Ctesiphon. Taking his seat upon the ancestral throne, he set the glorious diadem upon his brow and offered prayers of gratitude to God. Scribes recorded the names of eleven hundred and ten captive Roman nobles—kin and highest councilors to Caesar—and those who had incited evil met with swift, uncompromising retribution.
Then Caesar was dragged from the dungeon, dazed and trembling. Beholding Shapur's majestic countenance, the fallen tyrant wept bitterly, rubbing his face into the dust and sweeping the throne's footstool with his eyelashes. Shapur rebuked him harshly: 'O enemy of God, who falsely attributes a son to the Uncreated Lord! Where was thy wisdom when thou sewedst me—a guest arriving as a peaceful merchant—into the hide of an ass? Thou shalt now witness the war of true men!' Caesar pleaded for mercy, blaming his downfall on demon-induced folly and promising lifelong servitude if spared. Shapur laid down unyielding terms: the complete return of all Iranian captives and plundered wealth, the total reconstruction of every ruined Iranian city using Roman treasure, and human reparations in noble Roman hostages for every slain Iranian. Once the pact was sealed, Shapur exacted his poetic justice: Caesar's ears were notched, his nose pierced to hold an ass's nose-bridle, and bound in heavy iron fetters, he was led back to the shadows of captivity.