The lion’s den …
Bare-chested Putin toting a rifle in the great outdoors has got nothing on the kings of ancient Assyria. Back then, if a despot wanted to promote his physical might, the lion hunt – or, more accurately, lion killing – was the truly regal way to go.
Animal magic …
Carvings of killings date back 5,000 years, but this one from 865-860BC is the earliest well-preserved example. It comes from the throne room of Ashurnasirpal II in the Northwest Palace of ancient Nimrud (now in Iraq), placed, typically, near to depictions of war and torture.
Action man …
The archer on a chariot was a common action-hero pose, found throughout Assyria and Egypt on textiles as well as carvings. In depictions of lion killings, kings would show their prowess by using all kinds of weapons, on horseback and foot as well as chariots.
What the cat dragged in …
The “hunt” itself was a ritualised, symbolic activity, conducted in arenas. As such, the panels’ proximity to images of war suggests lions were not only the most dangerous predators but synonymous with human enemies.
I Am Ashurbanipal: King of the World, King of Assyria, British Museum, WC1, to 24 February
