Neo-Assyria
Ashurbanipal Hunt Ashurbanipal on the lion hunt
The palace showed the king defeating a dangerous animal.
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History and context Evidence and facts Objects connected through time Further reading Where it is held Sources and references Comments Museum documentation · free public access, no account required.
⛶ Enlarge imagePHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · British Museum, London · CC BY-SA 3.0 Documentary original · Exact correspondence
Photograph of the original reliefs from the Asurbanipal hunt: detail of the panel set 22–25, room C, BM 124852–124855. Chariot, king and lions visible; It does not show all the ends of the slabs.
Ealdgyth · British Museum, London · Inventory: BM 124852–124855 · paneles 22–25, sala C · CC BY-SA 3.0
View full image: PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · British Museum, London · CC BY-SA 3.0 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · British Museum, London · CC BY-SA 3.0 Documentary original · Exact correspondence
Photograph of the original reliefs from the Asurbanipal hunt: detail of the panel set 22–25, room C, BM 124852–124855. Chariot, king and lions visible; It does not show all the ends of the slabs.
Ealdgyth · British Museum, London · Inventory: BM 124852–124855 · paneles 22–25, sala C · CC BY-SA 3.0
History and context The chariot advances between lions and armed companions. The relief allows you to follow successive actions and observe how the sculptor tells a scene. It is not an isolated image: it is part of a sequence that decorated the palace of Ashurbanipal.
Royal hunting was also an assertion of authority. Showing the monarch in the face of danger helped present his ability to protect and dominate. We can admire the observation of the animals and, at the same time, recognize the political intention of the whole.
Evidence and interpretation The photograph shows a detail of the set of panels 22–25, BM 124852–124855. The linked individual tab documents panel 22; Do not confuse it with other famous reliefs from the same hunt.
Catalogue facts
Date of piece 645–635 BCE
Culture and period Neo-Assyria
Provenance North Palace of Nineveh, Iraq · room C
Material relief carved plaster
Inventory BM 124852–124855 · panels 22–25 Stone29 Sculpture54 Animal imagery49 Hunting5 Kingship and power33
The order uses the midpoint of each approximate date range; ranges can overlap. Spacing does not represent elapsed time. Swipe, scroll or use the arrows. With the sequence focused, use ← / →, Home or End.
Earlier Later
≈425,000–375,000 years
Swanscombe handaxe Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age for the Hoxnian interglacial (MIS 11); editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record ≈77,000–75,000 years
Engraved ochre from Blombos Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record ≈25.500–23.500 BCE
Before the San San histories
Date of the representative element, not ethnic attribution of its authors.
Read the record ≈25.500–23.500 BCE
Before the name San San histories
Dating of the context of the slabs; anonymous authors.
Read the record PPNA · site proposal: ≈9600–8800 BCE, provisional
Engraved stone from Çakmaktepe Prehistory
Provisional date range for the site; not direct dating of this stone.
Read the record PPNA · ≈9600–8800 BCE, provisional proposal for the site
Grinding stone from Çakmaktepe Prehistory
Provisional date range for the site and the published tools; the identification of the image is unverified.
Read the record End of the 4th millennium BCE
Warka Mask Sumer
The full 4th millennium BCE provides broad limits for chronological ordering; the record specifies the end of the millennium.
Read the record c. 3500–3100 BCE
Cylinder seal Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 3300–3000 BCE
Uruk Vase Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 3100 BCE
Narmer Palette Ancient Egypt
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record Towards 2900–2600 BCE
Worshiper of Tell Asmar Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record Towards 2400 BCE
Statue of Ebih-Il Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 2600–1900 BCE
Weights Indus civilisation
Date range for the system of weights, not a year-specific date for each example.
Read the record Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE
Lamassu of Khorsabad Sumer
Reign interval associated with the piece.
Read the record You are viewing 645–635 BCE
Ashurbanipal Hunt Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Current record c. 800–300 BCE
Overlapping dates Heads on the wall Pre-Inca cultures
Framework of the set of architectural heads.
Read the record first quarter of the 5th century BCE
Sarcophagus of Eshmunazar Phoenicians
First quarter of the 5th century BCE
Read the record First half of the 4th century BCE
The statue was the urn Iberians
First half of the 4th century BCE; date of the funerary context.
Read the record 4th century BCE
The inscription of Pistiros Thracians
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record 15 / 19 In the centre: Ashurbanipal Hunt
Also connected, without a comparable date (10) These objects are not placed after the others: an unknown date does not mean a more recent object.
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Sculpture Lion-man · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryLespugue · ≈28,000 years · PrehistoryZaraysk Bison · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryShigir Idol · C. 10,000 BCE · approximation; debated dating · PrehistoryWarka Mask · End of the 4th millennium BCE · SumerGebel el-Arak knife · 3600–3200 BCE · Naqada II C–D · Ancient EgyptUruk Vase · ca. 3300–3000 BCE · SumerNarmer Palette · ca. 3100 BCE · Ancient EgyptBefore Yayoi · Middle Jōmon, ca. 3000 BCE · Yayoi JapanUr-Nanshe relief · Mid-3rd millennium BCE · reign of Ur-Nanshe · SumerThe goat from PG 1237 · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerStele of the Vultures · Towards 2450–2425 BCE · SumerAkkadian sovereign head · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerBassetki Statue · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerNaram-Sin Stele · Reign of Naram-Sin, 2254–2218 BCE · SumerBefore Pre-Inca Cultures · Kotosh-Mito Tradition, c. 2200–1500 BCE; the enclosure is usually situated around 1800 BCE. · Pre-Inca culturesQueen of the Night · 19th–18th centuries BCE · SumerBull-leaping · c. 1600–1450 BCE · Greek worldsWooden faces · c. 1600–1000 BCE, in several phases · Maya worldsHead 2 · c. 1200–900 BCE · Maya worldsThe voice of Ahiram · c. 11th–10th century BCE · PhoeniciansBefore the Scythians and Sakas · Final Bronze–Initial Iron, ca. 1200–600 BCE · Scythians and SakaBlack Obelisk · 825 BCE · SumerIvory in Nimrud · 9th–8th centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLas Limas · c. 1000–600 BCE · Maya worldsAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · PhoeniciansAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · IberiansLamassu of Khorsabad · Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE · SumerThe Lanzón · c. 900–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesStele of Esarhaddon · 7th century BC C. · 671 campaign BCE · SumerThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · IberiansThe Tello Obelisk · c. 800–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesAshurbanipal Hunt · 645–635 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingHeads on the wall · c. 800–300 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesTwo voices in an urn · 530–520 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe god on the roof · Towards 510–500 BCE · Etruscans and RomeGlazed brick guards · 522–486 BCE · Achaemenid PersiaTwenty-three delegations · 6th–5th centuries BCE, mainly under Darius and Xerxes · Achaemenid PersiaSarcophagus of Eshmunazar · first quarter of the 5th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe statue was the urn · First half of the 4th century BCE · IberiansThe Raimondi Stele · c. 400–200 BCE according to MNAAHP · Pre-Inca culturesTorreáguila fountain spout · 101–125 CE · Etruscans and RomeThe date of 292 · 292 CE · Maya worldsArticulated doll from Tarragona · Late 3rd–4th century CE · Etruscans and RomeSeven heads · c. 500–700 CE · Bantu-speaking worldsSeated figure · 13th century, date attributed by the museum · Mande WorldsGold rhinoceros · ca. 1220–1290; found in 1933 · Bantu-speaking worldsZimbabwe birds · main period of Great Zimbabwe, c. 12th–15th centuries · Bantu-speaking worldsKongo crucifix · 16th–17th centuries · Bantu-speaking worldsKuba ndop · ca. 1760 · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Before Persia · Central core c. seventeenth century BCE; Neo-Elamite additions between the ninth and sixth centuries BCE · Achaemenid PersiaLararium of Vilauba · Roman period · Etruscans and RomeThe Thracian Horseman · Roman era · diffusion especially in the 2nd–3rd centuries CE · ThraciansAnimal imagery Lion-man · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryBefore the San · ≈25.500–23.500 BCE · San historiesBefore the name San · ≈25.500–23.500 BCE · San historiesAltamira · Assemblage ≈36,000–13,000 BP · bison ≈18,400–15,300 cal BP · PrehistoryLascaux · ≈23,500–21,000 cal BP · debated contextual estimate · PrehistoryZaraysk Bison · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryRondelle de Mas-d'Azil · ≈18,000–16,000 years · PrehistoryLamp from La Mouthe · ≈20,500–13,000 years · Magdalenian framework · PrehistoryEngraved stone from Çakmaktepe · PPNA · site proposal: ≈9600–8800 BCE, provisional · PrehistoryCueva de las Manos · Sequence ≈9300–1300 BP · PrehistoryCylinder seal · c. 3500–3100 BCE · SumerQueen's Lyre · ca. 2600–2500 BCE · SumerThe goat from PG 1237 · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerIndus seals · ca. 2600–1900 BCE · Indus civilisationQueen of the Night · 19th–18th centuries BCE · SumerBull-leaping · c. 1600–1450 BCE · Greek worldsStag Vessel · 14th–13th centuries BCE · HittitesBefore the Scythians and Sakas · Final Bronze–Initial Iron, ca. 1200–600 BCE · Scythians and SakaIvory in Nimrud · 9th–8th centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLamassu of Khorsabad · Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE · SumerThe Tello Obelisk · c. 800–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesAshurbanipal Hunt · 645–635 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingBanquet under leopards · Around 480–470 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe oldest knotted carpet · 5th–4th centuries BCE · Scythians and SakaThe silver amphora of Chertomlyk · 4th century BCE · Greek worldsThoth in the form of a baboon · 664–30 BCE · Ancient EgyptPoroina Mare Rhyton · Second half of the 4th century BCE · ThraciansBorovo · 4th century BC C.; 350–300 BCE in the ISAW catalog. · ThraciansLeipzig Fish Plate · Last third 4th–early 3rd century BCE · Greek worldsDove of the Amarejo · 3rd century BCE · IberiansChão de Lamas pectoral · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · concealed in the early 1st century BCE · IberiansFibula from Lancia · ≈300–100 BCE · IberiansHorse fibula · 2nd century BCE · disputed chronology · IberiansThe dismantled cauldron · 2nd–1st centuries BCE · Celtic worldsKalathos of Alcorisa · 2nd–1st centuries BCE · IberiansEgyptian oil lamp with a fish, held in Laon · 3rd–4th centuries CE · Ancient EgyptLaon lamp with fish · 3rd–4th centuries CE · Etruscans and RomeGold rhinoceros · ca. 1220–1290; found in 1933 · Bantu-speaking worldsZimbabwe birds · main period of Great Zimbabwe, c. 12th–15th centuries · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Hunting Holmegaard bow · ≈7000 BCE · PrehistoryAshurbanipal Hunt · 645–635 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingHunter’s tunic · early 20th century · Mande WorldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Kingship and power Narmer Palette · ca. 3100 BCE · Ancient EgyptPuabi headdress · ca. 2600–2450 BCE · SumerUr-Nanshe relief · Mid-3rd millennium BCE · reign of Ur-Nanshe · SumerStele of the Vultures · Towards 2450–2425 BCE · SumerAkkadian sovereign head · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerNaram-Sin Stele · Reign of Naram-Sin, 2254–2218 BCE · SumerSumerian King List · Towards 1800 BCE · SumerStele of Hammurabi · Towards 1750 BCE · SumerGrave Circle A and Chrysolakkos · 18th–16th centuries BCE · Greek worldsBurial at K IV · circa 1750–1550 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushTutankhamun's grave goods · death towards 1323 BCE · Ancient EgyptFu Hao’s burial goods · ca. 1200 BCE · Ancient ChinaTribute to Assyria · c. 848 BCE · PhoeniciansBlack Obelisk · 825 BCE · SumerLamassu of Khorsabad · Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE · SumerKushite king · c. 721–664 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushStele of Esarhaddon · 7th century BC C. · 671 campaign BCE · SumerAshurbanipal Hunt · 645–635 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingIshtar Gate · 7th–6th centuries BCE · work of Nebuchadnezzar II · SumerTwenty-three delegations · 6th–5th centuries BCE, mainly under Darius and Xerxes · Achaemenid PersiaSarcophagus of Eshmunazar · first quarter of the 5th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe archer in gold · Type introduced from the late 6th century; specimen from the 4th century BCE. · Achaemenid PersiaSusa grave goods · c. 350 BCE · Achaemenid PersiaGolyamata Kosmatka · End of the 4th century – beginning of the 3rd century BCE; ritual burial at the beginning of the III according to Iskra. · ThraciansDenarius of Carisius · ≈25–23 BCE · IberiansThe date of 292 · 292 CE · Maya worldsPakal’s grave goods · sealed on 28 August 683 CE · Maya worldsCatalan Atlas · after 1375 and before November 1380 · Mande WorldsKuba ndop · ca. 1760 · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
A closer look About 1 min to read · 1 section. Further reading and sources · free access. Editorial review recorded: September 14, 2026 .
One sequence, several slabs The inventory number allows the scenes to be distinguished although they are all known as the Ashurbanipal hunt. Shown here is a set of four panels. His narration selects and organizes what the viewer had to see: the composition of the palace is not a neutral chronicle of a hunting day.
Where it is held Item or group in the record · Documented collection
Institution that preserves the piece; Check with the museum about its availability to visit.
Item or group in the record · Documented collection
The holding institution is documented; public display may change. Check its official record before visiting.
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