Lion of Babylon [Detail]

Illustration

by oversnap
published on 26 April 2012

Lion of Babylon [Detail] — Ancient glazed tiles from the gates of ancient Babylon (Iraq) depict a lion.

The Lion is the symbol of Babylon, and represents Ishtar, the goddess of fertility, love and war. Meant not only to symbolise Babylon, but to instill fear in enemies, it seems fitting that a single stone lion, albeit poorly preserved, is the only true remainder of Babylon that stands in Iraq today.

Some 120 lions were created in polychrome relief tiles for the processional way towards the northern entrance to Babylon, the Gate of Ishtar, as well as Nebuchadnezzar's Throne Room. Several museum around the world are in posession of these polychrome lions.

License

Original image by oversnap. Uploaded by Jan van der Crabben, published on 26 April 2012 under the following license: Copyright. You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.

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APA Style

oversnap, . (2012, April 26). Lion of Babylon [Detail]. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/image/293/

Chicago Style

oversnap, . "Lion of Babylon [Detail]." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 26, 2012. https://www.ancient.eu/image/293/.

MLA Style

oversnap, . "Lion of Babylon [Detail]." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 26 Apr 2012. Web. 21 Jan 2020.

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