Leo 9

Lion Ashurnasirpal Ishtar Nimrud

Colossal guardian lion, around 865 - 860 BC, Nimrud, temple of Ishtar Sharrat-niphiThis 15-ton lion symbolises Ishtar, Assyrian goddess of war. The inscription gives the name of the temple's builder, Ashurnasirpal II (883 - 859 BC). This lion is one of a pair excavated by Austen Henry Layard in 1850.

Head of lion Ashurnasirpal Ishtar Nimrud

Face of colossal guardian lion, around 865 - 860 BC, Nimrud, temple of Ishtar Sharrat-niphiThis is a front view of the face of the lion in the previous photo. The lions in Assyria would have been Asian lions, a few of which can be seen in the London Zoo.