Rome Italy
2016

So-called "heraldic lion" (leone araldico), also known as Leone del Pincio, on the slope of the Pincian Hill looking toward Piazza del Popolo. This ancient statue, in a posture known in heraldry as passant (passante), holds a coat of arms with the writing SPQR. According to a theory it dates back to the XIV century, was originally on the Capitoline hill and was the emblem of the city before the placing of the Capitoline she-wolf on the square (in general during the Middle Ages the heraldic symbol of Rome was a lion).

As the king of beasts a lion was meant to convey strength, courage, and power in early Rome. In the days of Caesar, it was common for military and political leaders to have a lions head on the front door as a door knocker. It also came to symbolize the fallen hero and was often used in cemeteries and on caskets.

The depiction of a lion is often one of the more forgotten symbols of Rome. A lion in antiquity is seen to portray the Roman people as well as the strength and sovereignty of the Roman Empire.