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Sculpture of Hero Grasping Lion, gypsum, Khorsabad, Neo-Assyrian, 721-705 BCE
From the Neo-Assyrian Period, 1000 BCE - 612 BCE
Found in Khorsabad
Covered in lecture on Apr 15th, 2005
Sculpture was used extensively to decorate the palaces of Neo-Assyrian kings in the form of carved orthostats lining walls, and also colossal stone beasts placed in doorways as protective entities. This colossal 'Hero' from the entry to the throneroom at Sargon's palace at Khorsabad (721-705 BCE) grasps a lion in a symbolic battle seen in earlier contest scenes from the Akkadian period.

Relief of Hero Mastering Lion (detail of head and bust), alabaster, Khorsabad, Assyrian Empire, h: 470 cm.
From the Neo-Assyrian Period, 1000 BCE - 612 BCE
Found in Khorsabad
Covered in lecture on Sep 30th, 2004
The motif of the 'heroic combat' was popular in ancient near eastern iconography, and may have been symbolic of the king's power. At Khorsabad, several colossal sculptures of the 'hero mastering the lion' were placed near doorways to the palace of Sargon II (722-705 BCE).

sculpture, alabaster, Khorsabad
From the Neo-Assyrian Period, 1000 BCE - 612 BCE
Found in Khorsabad
Covered in lecture on Sep 30th, 2004
Detail of the lion from a relief from the palace of Sargon II (721-705 BCE) at Khorsabad. Sargon was the first Assyrian king to incorporate the figure of a hero clutching a lion within his palace doorways, along with protective Lhamassu. Details of the hero's fringed skirt and jewelled bracelet are visible.

Sargon incorporated the figure of a hero clutching a lion within his palace doorways, along with protective lamassu. The hero has luxurious curls (traditionally identified in Mesopotamia with virility), and wears several bracelets, similar to jewelry actually found in the Nimrud tombs. The gigantic alabaster hero peers downwards, literally towering over those who would have stood in front of the sculpture.

Hero choking a small lion
Khorsabad, palace of Sargon II
Neo-Assyrian period, reign of Sargon II (721-705 BC)
Gypseous alabaster
H 5.52 m
AO 19862

Description

"This long-haired personage, which constituted one of the ornaments of the throne room (n) of the palace of Sargon II at Khorsabad, is traditionally identified with Gilgamesh, ancient king of Uruk, hero of a famous epic. In fact, these long-haired personages, represent wise men, such as Adapa, whom the king pretended to resemble." - Louvre