---
title: Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief
author: Jan van der Crabben (Photographer)
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/96/assyrian-lion-hunt-relief/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-09-20
---

# Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief

_Authored by Jan van der Crabben (Photographer)_

## Image File

[![Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/96.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/96.jpg)

## Image Caption

Frieze depicting a lion hunt, from the royal [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) of [Ashurbanipal](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ashurbanipal/), [Nineveh](https://www.worldhistory.org/nineveh/), modern-day Iraq. [Neo-Assyrian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neo-Assyrian_Empire/), 668-631 BCE.

The king's role was to protect his people from enemies. In ancient [Assyria](https://www.worldhistory.org/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](https://www.worldhistory.org/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.

The British Museum, London.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## External Links

- [Lion Hunting: The Sport of Kings](https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/lion-hunting-sport-kings)

## Cite This Work

### APA
(Photographer), J. v. d. C. (2012, April 26). Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/96/assyrian-lion-hunt-relief/>
### Chicago
(Photographer), Jan van der Crabben. "Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/96/assyrian-lion-hunt-relief/>.
### MLA
(Photographer), Jan van der Crabben. "Assyrian Lion Hunt Relief." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/96/assyrian-lion-hunt-relief/>.

## License & Copyright

Original image by **Jan van der Crabben (Photographer)**. Submitted by [Thamis](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/thamis/ "User Page: Thamis"), published on 26 April 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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.