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Colossal Statue of a Winged Lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II
Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), modern-day Iraq. Neo-Assyrian Empire, c. 883-859 BCE.
This is one of a pair of guardian figures that flanked one of the entrances into the throne room of Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE). Stone mythological guardians, sculpted in relief or in the round, were often placed at gateways to ancient Mesopotamian palaces, to protect them from demonic forces. They were known to the Assyrians as lamassu. This winged lion has five legs so that when viewed from the front it is standing firm, and when viewed from the side it appears to be striding forward against any evil. It wears ropes like other protective spirits. Between the legs is inscribed the 'Standard Inscription' of Ashurnasirpal which is repeated over many of his reliefs. It records the king's titles, ancestry and achievements.
This colossal figure was excavated by Austen Henry Layard who worked in Assyria between 1845 and 1851. He suggested that these composite creatures embodied the strength of the lion, the swiftness of birds indicated by the wings, and the intelligence of the human head. The helmet with horns indicates the creature's divinity.
The British Museum Press, London.
Questions & Answers
What did the lion symbolize in ancient Mesopotamia?
- In ancient Mesopotamia, the lion symbolized the destructive forces of chaos and untamed nature, threatening order and civilization. The lion came to symbolize royal power in that the king defeated these forces and maintained order and stability.
What kind of lion lived in ancient Mesopotamia?
- The Asiatic lion lived in ancient Mesopotamia and appears in Mesopotamian art.
What was the purpose of the royal lion hunt in ancient Mesopotamia?
- The purpose of the royal lion hunt in ancient Mesopotamia was to show to the people how the king defeated the forces of chaos and destruction and could keep the people safe.
What is the most famous depiction of lions from ancient Mesopotamia?
- The most famous depiction of a lion from ancient Mesopotamia is the image of the Lion of Babylon on the Ishtar Gate. The Royal Lion Hunt of Ashurbanipal, depicted in a series of reliefs from Nineveh, now on display at the British Museum, is also well-known.
