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Lion-Hunting Scene, King Ashurbanipal
Sculpted relief illustrating the sporting exploits of the last great Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal, North Palace, room C, panel 20-22, Nineveh, modern-day northern Iraq. Neo-Assyrian Empire, reign of King Ashurbanipal, 668-631 BCE.
In ancient Assyria, lion-hunting was considered the sport of kings, symbolic of the ruling monarch’s duty to protect and fight for his people.
The hunting scenes, full of tension and realism, rank among the finest achievements of Assyrian Art. They depict the release of the lions, the ensuing chase and the subsequent killing.
The British Museum, London.
Questions & Answers
What are the dates for the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
- The Neo-Assyrian Empire ruled from 912-612 BCE.
Who is the greatest king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
- Ashurbanipal (r. 668-627 BCE) is considered the greatest king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and also the last effective ruler before its fall.
Why is it called the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
- The term Neo-Assyrian Empire is a modern designation referring to the latter part of the Assyrian Empire when a new paradigm of leadership and organization emerged.
How did the Neo-Assyrian Empire fall?
- The Neo-Assyrian Empire had grown too large to maintain and, after the reign of Ashurbanipal, began to weaken. The enemies of the Assyrians - including the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians - saw their chance to liberate themselves and attacked, sacking the cities and toppling the empire.
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External Links
Assyria, 1365–609 B.C. | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
metmuseum.org
Who Was Ashurbanipal?
britishmuseum.org
Ashurbanipal Library Project
museum.upenn.edu
