Lion sculpture from the wall of Castulo (Linares, Jaén, Spain)

The Iberian-Roman city of Cástulo, located on the right bank of the Guadalimar River, is one of the capital centers of the peninsular midday during the antiquity, both for the extension of its walled enclosure (50 ha), and for its strategic position in the headwaters of the Guadalquivir valley. The city stands out as the main knot in the communication routes of the time and, throughout its history, had privileged access to the mining resources of Sierra Morena. The oppidum (or fortified city) of Cástulo, first, was the most important population of the Iberian Oretania and, later, it was constituted in a Roman municipality, becoming an episcopal seat in the low-imperial period. In the excavation work of the wall of the North Gate in 2013 was located a sculpture made of whitish limestone. It represents a great lion roaring that under his claws holds the head and part of the upper forearms of a character with clearly blackish features. The figure of the lion is cast on its forelegs, in an unnatural position, with an attitude that suggests that the animal was to rise immediately, to start some activity. The face seems to express a gesture of roar, with open mouth and tongue out. It stands out for a realistic treatment of its factions, the mane is represented with wavy tufts, ordered in successive layers in a fairly perfect geometry. It is a unique and exceptional sculpture, of the best preserved of its category in the Iberian Peninsula. This sculpture was designed to be placed in the door, as it is carved in such a way that it fit perfectly between the ashlars of the wall, remaining as a high decorative relief on the left outer flank of the span. This door had to have two similar sculptures, both facing and arranged at half height from the sides of the entrance. The lion on the right flank has not been documented, although by the measures presented by one of the ashlars and the position known of the localized lion, it would coincide perfectly. In fact, we have news of a discovery in the 17th century of a feline with identical characteristics that was discovered in Cástulo, and that could be the lion that lacks to the door. The whole group was conceived as a triumphal door, a great structure with a semicircular arch framed by altorreliefs of two lions. Until now, these figures of lions with their harps on a human-head of probable italic origin had been related to monumental tombs. Another different proposal has interpreted it as representation of the power of Rome in front of the Carthaginian enemy, whom he has captured and caught between his claws, showing us the scene before being devoured. At present, the sculpture can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Linares, where it has been installed simulating its original situation at the door. Bibliography: Beard, V. (2014): “A Lion on the Wall of Cástulo.” Journal of Linarenses Studies 7 Corners, 6 (January - June): 135-136. Barba, V. Fernández, A. and Jiménez, Y. (2015): “The Wall of Cástulo and the Gate of Lions.” In A. Ruiz and M. Molinos (eds.) Jaén, Iberian land 40 Years of research and transfer. University of Jaén. 305-322. 3D model of the lion https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/leon-del-monument-de-la-muralla-north-67d3444788e141cb9ee4506421e56da4 View 360º of the monument where the sculpture of the lion was found. https://sketchfab.com/models/e6ecdde4e1994bbf8cdfe444c7cbb1c1 Three-dimensional model of the northern wall of Cástulo. Pedrosa and Cano SL. https://sketchfab.com/models/4b58b75f0dfa440ca6cfac7ec138251d