Lion of Babylon, Ancient stone memorial in Babylon, Iraq
The Lion of Babylon is a black basalt statue in the ancient city of Babylon, Iraq, showing a lion positioned above a human figure. The sculpture weighs around 12 tons and measures roughly 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) in length and nearly 2 meters (6.5 feet) in height.
The sculpture was discovered in the late eighteenth century and dates back to the sixth century before the common era. It was originally brought to Babylon from a Neo-Hittite city.
The stone lion appears on Iraqi banknotes and in the logo of several credit institutions, showing its central role in national consciousness. Many shops and businesses across the country use its image as a symbol of strength and tradition.
The World Monuments Fund installed protective barriers around the sculpture to prevent damage from visitors. Restoration work has been carried out to preserve the surface of the heavy stone figure.
Marks on the back of the figure show that it once carried a representation of the goddess Ishtar. Ishtar was responsible for love and war in Mesopotamia and played an important role in religious life.
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