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Assryian Art and the Great Hunt

Posted March 22nd, 2010 by admin

During the 9th century BC, the region from the border of Egypt to the Persian Gulf was controlled by the Assyrians.  A primary belief of the Assyrian society is that they were duty bound to their gods to advance their religion through conquest.  The Assyrians were the first culture to use iron weapons. They were cunning military minds who mastered the art of war.

Their army was well-trained and relentless, so many foes simply surrendered to the Assyrians without a struggle.  If they did not, they faced an innovative military force whose rolling siege towers, enormous battering rams and charioteers offered a huge military advantage.

The Assyrian art on display in museums today suggests that hunting had an important symbolic meaning to the culture.  This was certainly true of Assyria where many of the works of Assyrian art depict the Royal Hunt. The acient Assyrians placed great importance on the Royal Hunt as a means of demonstrating the kings rule over brute nature and his courage. The king added to his own leged and reputation as a warrior by participating in the Royal Hunt.  There is certainly exageration in the depiction of these activities, but the reliefs suggest that the kings were generally worthy rulers.

Ancient Assyrian art also sheds light on the ceremonial aspects of the Royal Hunt.  Assyrian wall reliefs unearthed by archaeologists often display the Assyrian kings giving animals as sacrifices to the sun god Nergal.  This Mesopotamian deity was the god of war, pestilence and ruler of the underworld.

Of all the animals hunted by the king and his royal party, the lion presented the greatest challenge and prestige. Armed with a spear and bow and riding in a chariot, the king would chase the lion and bring him down. When the lion was injured and down, the king would dismount the chariot and finish the lion off with his blade.  One must consider the fact that ancient art depicting royalty was meant to please the king, so its not clear just how active a role the king may have played in the hunt.

On display at the British Museum is a relief of Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, who is shown riding a horse with a bow and arrow raised and ready to fire.  He is hunting wild donkeys who were considered a blight in those days.  The practice of hunting wild asses and thinning the herds was considered a noble, worthwhile pursuit.  Ashurbanipal was the last of the great Assyrian kings.  He was king at the zenith of Assyrian dominance but the empire crumpled shortly after his death.

The Assyrian wall reliefs we see today in museums suggest that hunting lions was wildly popular and the lion population was severely impacted.  Lions were imported in from other regions and release for the purpose of hunting.  This conclusion can be drawn from some Assyrian wall reliefs that show a lion being released from the cage.

Tags: anicent assyrian art, ashurbanipal, assyria, assyrian art, assyrian wall reliefs, mesopotomia