The Dying Lion, a stone panel from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal

Stone wall-panel relief: the lion itself is squatting on its haunches, facing right. It has been mortally wounded by an arrow that has penetrated deep into its chest from above the shoulder. Blood is gushing out of the mouth of the beast, and it is straining every muscle and sinew in a last futile attempt to stay upright. The veins on its head are standing out, its eyes are beginning to glaze over, and it is desperately gripping the ground with its claws.