Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs at the British Museum

Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs: A Glimpse into Ancient Majesty at the British Museum

Nestled in the heart of London, the British Museum stands as a testament to human history and culture. With a staggering eight million artifacts in its collection, it paints a vivid picture of our journey through time, from the earliest civilizations to the present day.

Founded in 1753, this museum owes its existence to the visionary Sir Hans Sloane, a physician, and scientist whose passion for collecting set the stage for this remarkable institution. The doors of the British Museum opened to the public in 1759 at Montague House in Bloomsbury, eventually evolving into the iconic building we know today, shaped by the expanding British colonial influence over two and a half centuries.

Interestingly, while the museum houses a vast trove of eight million artifacts, only a mere 1% (roughly 80,000 objects) is on public display.

Among these treasures are the famous Parthenon Marbles, once part of the ancient Greek Parthenon temple, and the enigmatic Rosetta Stone, pivotal in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. These exhibits, though mesmerizing, carry the weight of controversy due to their removal from their places of origin during the British Empire‘s expansion.

Details of the bas-relief depicting Ashurbanipal on his chariot aiming an arrow during a lion hunt. North Palace, Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq. Circa 668-627 BC.

Yet, amidst this historical tapestry, my personal highlight at the British Museum was the Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs.

Dating back to 668-627 BC, these intricately detailed bas-reliefs are heralded as the pinnacle of Assyrian art. Additionally, they unveil a formalized ritual hunt led by King Ashurbanipal within an arena. During this elaborate spectacle, ferocious lions were released for the king to hunt with arrows, spears, and swords.

An Assyrian relief panel illustrates the grandeur of Ashurbanipal’s lion hunting pursuits. North Palace, Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, 668-627 BC.

These reliefs offer a captivating window into a bygone era. King Ashurbanipal, the last great Assyrian ruler, reigned over an empire that would soon crumble into civil strife. Just 25 years after these panels were created, the Assyrian Empire met its demise, and the once-mighty city of Nineveh lay in ruins.

An Assyrian bas-relief panel vividly captures a lion hunt scene. North Palace in Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, 668-627 BC.

In this bas-relief, Ashurbanipal, elegantly dressed, firmly grips a wounded lion’s neck with his left hand and thrusts a sword into its belly with his right. His resolute expression meets the lion’s roar. Nearby, an attendant with a bow and arrows watches. North Palace in Nineveh, Mesopotamia (circa 645-635 BC).

Detail of an alabaster bas-relief showing Ashurbanipal’s Chariot horses. North Palace, Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, 645-635 BC.

In a meticulous detail of a bas-relief, a pivotal moment unfolds as a lion is being stabbed in the neck. The lion, having leaped perilously close to the king’s chariot, faces a critical juncture. King’s attendants thrust their spears into the lion’s neck to halt its advance. Meanwhile, the king, wielding a sword with his right hand, delivers a deep and precise stab to the lion’s neck. The bas-relief captures the lion’s painful facial expression with remarkable delicacy. North Palace, Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, 645-635 BC.

Unveiling London’s Icon: The British Museum’s Rich History and Controversial Exhibits

Details of a bas-relief from the lion hunt. Keepers with dogs are stationed on the edge of the arena to deter any lions from trying to escape. North Palace, Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq. Circa 668-627 BC.

An alabaster bas-relief portraying the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal in his distinctive conical head cap. In this gripping scene, he masterfully wields a bow, launching arrows towards a succession of oncoming lions. Moreover, the bas-relief impressively showcases meticulously carved embroidery, armlets, earrings, and the king’s opulent attire. As he stands poised, a royal attendant skillfully guides the chariot. It’s worth noting that the eyes of both the king and his attendant were intentionally damaged following the fall of Nineveh. This remarkable depiction originates from the North Palace in Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, circa 645-635 BC.

Relief depicting The royal lion hunt. Lions hit by the king’s arrows collapse and die. Keepers with dogs are stationed on the edge of the arena to deter any lions from trying to escape. North Palace, Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, 668-627 BC.

An Assyrian bas-relief panel, part of the lion hunt scene, vividly portrays a dying lion. Originating from the North Palace in Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, this piece dates back to circa 668-627 BC.

Detailing an alabaster bas-relief showcasing Ashurbanipal’s horses, one cannot help but marvel at their exquisite beauty and elegance. This scene hails from the North Palace in Nineveh, Mesopotamia, Iraq, dating back to circa 645-635 BC.

Visiting the British Museum is akin to embarking on a journey through time and across continents. Consequently, it’s a place where history comes alive, allowing you to witness the grandeur of ancient civilizations. Amidst this treasure trove, the Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs stand as a testament to the ebb and flow of empires.

Great Court at the British Museum, London. It is a glass and steel roof covering the central Reading Room and the building’s quadrangle, was completed in 2000. It is the largest covered square in Europe and is the hub of the museum.

The British Museum, nestled in the heart of London, stands as an iconic institution, a custodian of human history and culture.

Its reputation as one of the world’s premier museums is well-deserved; thus, given its vast and diverse collection of artifacts that span the globe, these priceless treasures serve as windows into our collective past, preserving the legacy of countless civilizations for generations to come.

Among the museum’s extensive holdings, the following images are a mere glimpse into the rich tapestry of its collections. Each artifact tells a unique story, from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the grandeur of classical Greece and the historical significance of Nimrud and Nineveh.

Great Court at the British Museum, London.

Statue of Pharoah Ramesses II.

The Egyptian collection at the British Museum is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The Egyptian collection is a treasure trove, boasting an array of mummies, statues, hieroglyphics, and everyday objects. These relics, including the iconic Rosetta Stone, not only provide a comprehensive view of this ancient civilization’s remarkable achievements but also enable visitors to immerse themselves in the mysteries and marvels of Egypt’s bygone era.

Intriguingly, the Limestone false-door and architrave of Ptahshepses, hailing from Saqqara, Egypt during the 5th Dynasty (around 2380 BC), offer a glimpse into ancient rituals. The architrave bears five lines of text, featuring standard invocation-formulae dedicated to Osiris and Anubis. Similarly, the false door reveals its secrets through two lines of text on each side. It contains the titles of Ptahshepses, carrying the biographical inscription in which he describes his birth at the time of Mycerinus, his marriage to Khamaat (a princess and daughter, probably, of Shepseskaf), and his career under four further kings. All the texts on the false door are very sharply carved in good sunk relief.

The Crouching Venus is a Hellenistic model of Venus surprised at her bath.

Roman marble copy of the ‘Spinario (Boy with Thorn)’, circa 1st century AD.

The Greek collection, featuring the renowned Parthenon Marbles, stands as a testament to the enduring influence of Hellenistic culture.

These beautifully carved sculptures, once part of the Parthenon temple in Athens, evoke the grandeur of ancient Greece. Their presence within the British Museum, however, remains a topic of debate, reflecting the complex legacy of colonial acquisitions.

The Parthenon Sculptures gallery, British Museum, London.

The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles.

The Parthenon Marbles, are a collection of Classical Greek marble sculptures. These marbles were originally part of the Parthenon – a 2,500-year-old temple that was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, in Greece. Circa 447–432 BC.

Nimrud and Nineveh Palace Reliefs, Mesopotamian Collection.

The Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs, a crown jewel of the Nimrud collection, capture the power and prowess of King Ashurbanipal. These reliefs, dating back to 668-627 BC, transport visitors to a time when Assyria was at its zenith. Meanwhile, the Nineveh collection preserves the heritage of this once-great city, offering insights into its art, culture, and daily life.

Nimrud and Nineveh, ancient Mesopotamian cities, are brought to life through the museum’s impressive collection of artifacts.

British Museum — The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, 858-824 BC.

Nimrud and Nineveh Palace Reliefs, Mesopotamian Collection.

Captured flocks of sheep and goats, taken during Tiglath-pilesser III’s campaign against the Arabs. Central Palace, Nimrud, circa 728 BC.

Details of the Mechanical Galleon (1580-1590) or Ship Clock as commonly referred at British Museum.

In essence, the British Museum is a repository of human history, where visitors can embark on a global journey through time. It is a place where the past comes alive, where the stories of civilizations are etched into the very artifacts that bear witness to their existence.