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Maraş lion

The Maraş lion is a Late Hittite basalt sculpture of a lion with a hieroglyphic inscription. It was discovered on the citadel of Kahramanmaraş, formerly Maraş, in 1883 and is now displayed in the Kahramanmaraş Archaeological Museum. The sculpture is in very good condition and measures 0.41 metres high, 0.73 m long, and 0.23 m wide. Its head and front legs are carved in the round, while other surfaces are left unworked, probably because they were not visible in its original setting. The inscription names Halparuntiyas III of Gurgum and suggests a date at the end of the 9th century BC.

Maraş lion stone sculpture with an open mouth, carved in low relief and set on a brick pedestal.
The Maraş lion is shown as a crouching stone sculpture with carved details and inscriptions.
September 1991 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Stone lion sculpture with open mouth and carved symbols on its front
The Maraş lion, a stone sculpture shown with its open mouth and carved inscriptions visible.
September 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Maraş lion stone sculpture with an open mouth and carved inscriptions on its sides and legs.
The Maraş lion, a stylized stone lion covered with inscriptions and carved details.
September 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleMaraş lion
TypeLate Hittite lion sculpture
SubjectLion
Alternative namesMaraş 1; Maraş B/1

Historical context

Art historical contextMassive lion sculptures are a recurrent feature of Hittite art, especially in the Neo-Hittite period
Political contextNeo-Hittite kingdom of Gurgum
Capital of kingdomKahramanmaraş

Creator

Attributed rulerHalparuntiyas III

Discovery and provenance

Original museum locationArchaeological Museum in Istanbul
Related second lionA second, slightly larger uninscribed lion was left in situ by a gate of the fortress
Replica castA plaster cast was made for the Berlin Museums
Discovery date1883
Discovery contextFound during their Anatolia journey
Discovery locationCastle/citadel of Marʿasch (present-day Kahramanmaraş), Anatolia
Discovered byCarl Humann and Otto Puchstein

Materials

MaterialBasalt

Physical characteristics

DimensionsHeight 0.41 m; length 0.73 m; width/thickness 0.23–0.25 m
ConditionVery good condition

Technique

Hypothesized function of back platformHawkins suggested it served as a pedestal for a statue
Back surfaceA smooth flat surface continues into a platform on the back up to the neck
Carving techniqueHead and front legs fully carved in the round; left side in high relief on the inscribed plaque between the feet and body; right side, back, left hindquarters, and tail unworked

Appearance

HeadRound head with Assyrian influence
Facial featuresEyes, nose, and ears are clearly visible
MouthOpen mouth with a row of teeth and large fangs touching each other
ManeStylized mane extends to the shoulders and halfway down the front legs
Body detailsDiamond-shaped tufts are visible on the belly/chest
PawsToes and claws are clearly worked on the front paws and visible on the hind legs
Damaged figure in maneA badly damaged standing man on an animal, probably a lion, appears in a recessed area above the left front leg within the mane

Iconography and meaning

Possible significance of depictionThe ruler standing on a lion may indicate posthumous divinisation
Interpretation of damaged figureIt may represent the author of the text; Hawkins interpreted it as the introductory amu-figure, with amu as the Luwian hieroglyphic EGO symbol meaning 'I'

Inscription

Inscription extentA six-line hieroglyphic text begins next to the figure, runs to the tail, and continues in boustrophedon form over the body, legs, and the space between them
Inscription breakThe text breaks off between the front feet at the beginning of a seventh line
Possible continuation of inscriptionIt is suspected to have continued on another surface, either on a statue standing on the lion's back or on a second portal lion
Inscription contentHalparuntiyas, king of Gurgum, son of Laramas, grandson of Halparuntiyas, and great-grandson of Muwatalli; he declares loyalty to the gods, especially Tarhunza and Runtiya, veneration of his ancestors, and his deeds
Presence of inscriptionHieroglyphic inscription

Location and ownership

Current locationKahramanmaraş Archaeological Museum

History and restoration

Transfer to TurkeyTransferred on 30 August 2013 by decision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Significance

Scholarly discussionDiscussed by numerous scholars, including Ekrem Akurgal, Helmuth Theodor Bossert, John David Hawkins, and Winfried Orthmann
Historical identificationThe ruler in the inscription was identified as Halparuntiyas III
DatingProbably made in or after Halparuntiyas III's reign, at the end of the 9th century BC