Lion (Disambiguation)

Image by James Blake Wiener

Heracles fighting Nemean Lion

Hercules (or Herakles) fighting the Nemean lion on an ancient Greek clay pitcher in black figure style. In ancient Greek mythology, Hercules defeated the lion of Nemea and took the lion's skin to King Eurystheus. This specimen dates from...

Image by Jan van der Crabben (Photographer)

Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief

Frieze depicting a lion hunt, from the royal palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, modern-day Iraq. Neo-Assyrian Empire, 668-631 BCE. The king's role was to protect his people from enemies. In ancient Assyria, this was symbolized in the lion...

Image by Jan van der Crabben (Photographer)

Royal Lion Hunt on Chariot

Relief depicting a royal lion hunt on a chariot, Neo-Assyrian Empire, c. 645-635 BCE. The king (recognizable by his distinctive hat) rides around the arena on a chariot shooting lions with arrows. His attendants fend off a lion that is...

Image by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin

Colossal Guardian Lion from Nimrud

Colossal guardian lion found at the entrance to the temple of Ishtar, Sharrat-niphi. The cuneiform inscriptions on the statue mention the name of Ashurnasirpal II as the temple's builder. This lion was one of a pair of lions which were found...

Image by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin

Terracotta Lion from Tell Harmal

This terracotta lion was found at the entrance to the Dagan Temple at Tell Harmal (ancient Shaduppum), in the eastern outskirt of Baghdad. The temple was dedicated to Nisaba (goddess of the grain and writing) and her consort, Haja. The...

Image by Thierry Ollivier

Hero Overpowering a Lion

The Hero Overpowering a Lion, gypseous alabaster high relief with traces of paint from Khorsabad (Dur Sharrukin), facade N of the throne room of the palace of Sargon II, Assyria (Iraq). Neo-Assyrian Empire, reign of Sargon II, 721-705 BCE...

Image by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin

Babylonian Lion

A pacing, roaring lion, once part of King Nebuchadnezzar II’s throne room in his palace in the ancient city of Babylon. These roaring lions emphasized the power and might of the Babylonian king. Babylon, Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, Neo-Babylonian...

Image by Bernard Gagnon

Rampant Lion, Konarak Temple

This is a sculpture found in the Konarak Sun Temple, Odisha state, India. It shows a rampant lion standing upon a crouching elephant, the whole sculpture being supported on a pedestal. Though covered with plaster, the original colour of the...