Lion of Babylon (statue)
Lion of Babylon is a stone sculpture that was found in the ancient city of Babylon, Iraq.
History
It was discovered in 1876 by a German archaeological mission.
It was initially proposed that the statue was built by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC), but the style and materials of the statue have led others to ascribe it to the Hittites.[1] It could have been part of spoils captured by the Babylonians during the campaigns of Nebuchadnezzar II.[2]
As part of a program to prevent damage from visitors, it was announced in July 2016 that a 50-centimeter [1.6-feet] security barrier will be erected around the statue.[3]
Description
The statue is made out of black basalt black stone; it depicts a Mesopotamian lion standing above a laying human. The statue is two meters in length and the platform upon which it stands is one meter.
Symbolism
The Lion of Babylon is a historic theme in the region. The statue is considered among the most important symbols of (Babylon) in particular and Mesopotamian art in general.[4] The statue is considered a national symbol of Iraq, it has been used by several Iraqi institutions such as the Iraqi Football Association.[5]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/06/iraq-babylon-culture-heritage.html#ixzz4DYTfkbw6
- ^ "Babylon, Iraq". Atlastours.net. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
- ^ http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/06/iraq-babylon-culture-heritage.html#ixzz4DYTfkbw6
- ^ "Babylon Chronicle, A 1932 photograph of the Lion of Babylon from the". Tammuz.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
- ^ "الاتحاد العراقي لكرة القدم". Ifa.iq. Retrieved 2016-03-30.