Lion of Al-lāt

Description

This 1st century AD statue made of limestone ashlar with 3,5 m height and 15 tonnes weight belonged to the temple of pre-islamic goddess Al-lāt in Palmyra. The lion symbolizes the consort of Al-lāt and the gazelle the love and tenderness. On the left paw of the lion there is an inscription in which it’s possible to read: “Al-lāt will bless, whoever will not shed, blood in the sanctuary”