Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Lion of Babylon

Lion of Babylon is an over 2,600-year-old stone sculpture found in the ancient city of Babylon, Iraq. First documented in 1817 by Claudius Rich, it may have been seen earlier by Joseph de Beauchamp in 1790. The statue is made of black basalt, measures two meters in length, stands on a one-meter-high platform, and weighs around 7,000 kg. It shows a Mesopotamian lion above a supine human figure. Some interpretations suggest the two figures are engaged in sexual intercourse, and the carved depression on the lion’s back may indicate where a saddle once supported a figure of Ishtar.

The Lion of Babylon stone sculpture resting on a base beneath a clear blue sky.
The Lion of Babylon sculpture stands on its base against a clear sky.
June 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lion of Babylon sculpture on a modern pedestal in a paved area with palm trees and distant hills behind it.
The Lion of Babylon stands on a pedestal in an open paved site beneath a clear blue sky.
September 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lion of Babylon stone sculpture with a human figure beneath it, set against a blue sky and palm trees.
The Lion of Babylon sculpture in Babylon, showing a lion standing over a prone human figure.
February 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Two black-and-white views of the Lion of Babylon monument, showing a stone lion on a tiered base with a person standing beside it in one view.
The Lion of Babylon monument shown in two vintage black-and-white views, including a wider shot with a person beside the sculpture.
© · Public domain
Black-and-white drawing of the Lion of Babylon sculpture lying down with a human figure beneath its chest and front paws.
The Lion of Babylon shown in a black-and-white drawing, with a human figure beneath the lion and a scale bar below.
August 1852 © Felix Thomas drawing of the Lion of Baylon made in 1852 · Public domain

Identification

TitleLion of Babylon
Typestone sculpture; statue

Historical context

Ageover 2,600 years old
Cultural contextMesopotamian art

Creator

Attributed creatorNebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon (reigned 605–562 BC)

Discovery and provenance

Possible later historymay have been part of booty captured by the Babylonians during Nebuchadnezzar II's campaigns
Possible original commissionpossibly commissioned by Nebuchadnezzar II
Alternative origin interpretationHittite origin; possibly made during a Hittite occupation of the city
Attribution historyInitially thought by the German mission to have been sculpted under Nebuchadnezzar II; later attributed on stylistic and material grounds to Northern Syria in the Neo-Hittite and Aramaean sphere
Possible earlier sightingpossibly seen as early as 1790 by Joseph de Beauchamp
First documented byClaudius Rich
Discovered byGerman archaeological mission
Discovery date1876
Discovery locationBabylon, Iraq

Physical characteristics

Length2.6 meters
Height1 meter
Platform height1 meter
Weightabout 7,000 kg

Materials

Materialblack basalt

Appearance

Depicted subjecta lion trampling a human figure
Back featurea carved depression on the lion's back
Original featurea saddle was originally placed in the carved depression
Deity placementthe back of the lion includes a representation of where Ishtar should stand

Iconography and meaning

Interpretationthe lion and human are strongly suggested to be engaged in sexual intercourse
Associated deityIshtar
Ishtar's rolegoddess of fertility, love, and war
Intended effectto intimidate and frighten enemies

Location and ownership

Current locationBabylon, Iraq

History and restoration

Condition historydamaged over the years due to lack of protection, tourist climbing, marks left by visitors, and erosion
Protection concernarchaeologists feared erosion would occur without adequate protection
Restoration date2013
Restoration organizationsWorld Monuments Fund and the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage
Restoration workcleaned and partially restored; the statue base was replaced; a protective barrier was added

Significance

Cultural significanceone of the most important symbols of Babylon and Mesopotamian art
National significancea national symbol of Iraq
Use by institutionsused by several Iraqi institutions, including the Iraqi Football Association