[September 29, 2025] This article is not about the Assyrian Empire, but it’s worth noting that at one time, this empire was the most powerful in the known world. Historians continue to study this complex empire from its early days in ancient Mesopotamia, lasting nearly 3,000 years, with Assyrians still living today as a recognizable ethnic group. However, I want to discuss the power of symbolism in the stone reliefs found in its destroyed capital city in Nineveh.
In his Curator’s Corner, Paul Collins tells the stories represented in ancient relief carvings.
“The first arrow is shot [by the Assyrian King], hoping to subdue the beast. It hits its mark, but far from being stopped, the animal is enraged and charges at his assailant. The two foes meet with a mighty roar, grappling for their lives. The man shown killing a lion was among the most important individuals of his time, and the reliefs from his palace are among the greatest works of art from the ancient world.” – Paul Collins, keeper of the Middle East in Curator’s Corner, S10, Ep5
These reliefs that Paul mentions once decorated the walls of the King’s enormous palace at the site of Nineveh, which is now in northern Iraq. They depict the last great king of Assyria, a man named Ashurbanipal, killing a series of lions. These Asiatic lions were dangerous and among the most powerful animals in that region.
The symbolism is clear. These lions represented “power and authority,” and the image of the king confronting a lion was very ancient in Assyrian symbols. The king fighting a lion was so significant that the image was carved into ring seals carried by senior officials of the empire.
The stories depict King Ashurbanipal’s actions as he hunted lions. They describe him killing the lions in staged events that served as rituals to receive the blessings of the gods.
“To understand these reliefs, we have to think about how they may have been viewed by the ancient inhabitants of the palace. The reliefs lined the walls of corridors. There was an enormously long corridor which led from the heart of the palace to the outside world through a gate, and these showed a procession of courtiers and their donkeys carrying equipment out, presumably to the hunting grounds. On the opposite wall, we have a procession of returning courtiers, this time carrying dead lions. So walking through this corridor out of the palace, you would effectively be joining the king as he left the palace to go to the hunting grounds and then of course, joining him on return, but this time with bodies of the dead lions.”
The imagery is distinct and thoughtfully crafted around a story as old as humankind. The power of symbology is not exclusive to ancient civilizations but remains prominent today. For example, the U.S. Army names its helicopters after fierce Native American tribes. The Bald Eagle symbolizes America. Cars are often named after swift and sometimes deadly animals, like the Mustang, the Cougar, the Viper, or the Cobra.
Everything about these reliefs tells us something about the time, so the symbolism is important. For example, there are 18 lions in these scenes, and we know from a text from the time of Ashurbanipal that there was a ritual in which 18 lions were killed. This was probably to magically protect the 18 gates into the city of Nineveh. By killing these lions, the king protects both his city, and by extension, his empire.
A visitor to the palace would find himself standing in the ancient hunting ground with the king at the height of his power and influence. Thus, even the dullest among us would witness firsthand the strength of King Ashurbanipal.
———
Please read my books:
I look forward to more on this. Mostly I’m looking forward to reading about examples. I would suggest to Gen. Satterfield that he use his great great grandfather who was a Color Bearer Sergeant in the US Civil War as an example. Just thinking. The power of the flag goes far beyond the material used.
Great recommendation, The Kid.
Indeed, a great story that needs telling.
The 18 lions “guarding the gates” of the city is also an old story. Protection from destructive outside forces is as old as mankind. We know this from ancient texts and fro oral history passed down from one generation to the next. This is the kind of thing that should be taught in school but is not. Stories are for more than entertainment but to tell the next generation that they must become the guardians of their future. And, also important, that great leadership matters. That is why it is the King who slays the lions. This is a symbolic killing of the enemy at the gates.
Gen. Satterfield, nice article on “symbols” and their power. For those who want to see more in this in his “Letters to My Granddaughter.”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/granddaughter-letters/
… a great series with reading again. 😀😀😀😀😀😀
* worth reading again. I also want to note for new readers that Gen. Satterfield’s website has multiple tabs to explore. There are lots of resources. One of them is his READING LIST. Go there and read these great works. Get off your computer, sit down and read.
Great job, sir!
The Internet algorithm popped up this site. So I’m new. Looks great for a leadership website. Greta comments in this forum.
Here is the main point that Gen. Satterfield is making.
“The imagery is distinct and thoughtfully crafted around a story as old as humankind.”
👣
EXACTLY RIGHT ….
“To understand these reliefs, we have to think about how they may have been viewed by the ancient inhabitants of the palace. The reliefs lined the walls of corridors. There was an enormously long corridor which led from the heart of the palace to the outside world through a gate, and these showed a procession of courtiers and their donkeys carrying equipment out, presumably to the hunting grounds. On the opposite wall, we have a procession of returning courtiers, this time carrying dead lions. So walking through this corridor out of the palace, you would effectively be joining the king as he left the palace to go to the hunting grounds and then of course, joining him on return, but this time with bodies of the dead lions.”
Indeed, we need to try to put ourselves in their frame of mind. I don’t think this is actually possible but it is worthwhile to try. If not, if not try, then we miss out on what might have been a reality for them. As I sit back in my easy chair, for example, there is no comparison to the brutal existence they endured. So, while difficult, I can try to put myself into their environment a tiny bit. And learn.
On the surface, this is an easy topic, but trying to weed out the grain from the chaff is going to be a job and a half. Good luck. I would suggest taking a psychological approach as opposed to a sociological one. Just me thinking differently. The more of these the better. People do get upset when their ideological beliefs are challenged. So watch out.
Got that right. Gen. S, thank you. What’s the strategy here?
Thanks ,Gen. S. for starting this route in symbolism. Symbols are extremely powerful. Beyond our imagination powerful.
Looks like we’re about to head into,an adventure with Gen. Satterfield on “symbology.” 👀
I’ll be there.
See you there, Yusaf.
We certainly will go on this trip with you and all the regular readers. Any look into the past about “how” the ancients saw themselves is a dive into better understanding ourselves. While we are very limited due to a lack of details, we can get some ideas from writing and relief carvings like these. I also can say that the Assyrians were brutal in their strategy to expand their empire. That is why they were so successful but also this brutality ensured their ultimate downfall. Great article today, Gen. Satterfield. Thanks.
With you all. 👍
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Same 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸