Illustration
The King's role was to protect his people from enemies. In ancient Assyria, this was symbolized in the lion hunt, when the king went out to kill lions.
Lions were not uncommon in the Ancient Near East. King Ashurbanipal of Assyria noted that the hills abounded with lions who were killing cattle and humans alike.
It appears, though that the king had the lions caught for him, and brought to some sort of arena, where he could hunt the lions without having to go out and chase them.
This frieze is from the royal palace of Ashurbanipal, exhibited in the British Museum London.
Related Images
Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief, Nineveh
King Amenhotep III as a Lion
Assyrian Dying Lion
Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II
![Lion of Babylon [Detail]](/img/c/p/360x202/293.jpg?v=1538057750)
Lion of Babylon [Detail]
Royal Lion Hunt on Chariot
Cite This Work
APA Style
(Photographer), J. V. D. C. (2012, April 26). Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/image/96/
Chicago Style
(Photographer), Jan V. D. C. "Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 26, 2012. https://www.ancient.eu/image/96/.
MLA Style
(Photographer), Jan V. D. C. "Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 26 Apr 2012. Web. 24 Jan 2020.
Support Us
We are a non-profit organization.
Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Please support Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation. Thank you!
Donate