"More particularly was the new sect of Christians selected as the objects of vengeance. These people had already gained the intense dislike of Rome. The austerity of their manners, the severe tenets of their faith so opposed to the license of paganism, their customs and laws so antagonistic to the usages of the state, all combined to render them odious to the commonwealth."—Ridpath, 1885

Christians Given to the Lions in the Roman Amphitheater

"More particularly was the new sect of Christians selected as the objects of vengeance. These people…

"Pendentive, from the Court of the Lions, Alhambra." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Court of the Lions

"Pendentive, from the Court of the Lions, Alhambra." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Roman goddess of nature and fertility

Cybele

Roman goddess of nature and fertility

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:19-23 ASV
<p>Illustration of Daniel standing in the lions' den. An angel protects him from the lions.

Daniel in the Lions' Den

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he…

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever." Daniel 6:19-21 ASV
<p>Illustration of Daniel sitting in the midst of three male lions and one female lion. Daniel is looking up to the edge of the pit, his right hand raised and his left hand over his heart. The king can be seen looking down on him. The lions are completely at peace. An arch and a stone wall are pictured in the background.

Daniel Sits Safely among the Lions in the Den

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he…

Illustration of Ignatius of Antioch, also called Ignatius Theophorus, tied to a post by his neck and wearing his bishop's robe. There are bones and scraps on the ground. One lion is sitting on the ground and looking up at Ignatius. The other lion is pouncing from behind. The arches and crowds of the Colosseum are visible in the background.

Ignatius of Antioch is Martyred by Being Fed to Lions

Illustration of Ignatius of Antioch, also called Ignatius Theophorus, tied to a post by his neck and…

The Musical Lion, from a nursery rhyme.

Musical Lion

The Musical Lion, from a nursery rhyme.

"Two lioncels addorsed or back to back. LIONCELS. Two or more lions." -Hall, 1862

Lioncels Addorsed

"Two lioncels addorsed or back to back. LIONCELS. Two or more lions." -Hall, 1862

"Lioncels combatant. LIONCELS. Two or more lions. COMBATANT. A French word for fighting." -Hall, 1862

Lioncels Combatant

"Lioncels combatant. LIONCELS. Two or more lions. COMBATANT. A French word for fighting." -Hall, 1862

"Or, two lions passant counter passant gules, the uppermost facing the sinister side of the escutcheon, both collared sable, garnished argent. COUNTER PASSANT. Two animals passing the contrary way to each other." -Hall, 1862

Lions Counter Passant

"Or, two lions passant counter passant gules, the uppermost facing the sinister side of the escutcheon,…

"An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point." -Hall, 1862

Incorporated Lions Gardant

"An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point." -Hall, 1862

After telling the lie about the animals planning treason and stealing treasure, King Lion and his queen trust and love Reynard the Fox. He has them take the shoes of Isegrim the wolf and his wife Ereswine for his pilgrimage.

Reynard the Fox: Taking Isegrim's Shoes

After telling the lie about the animals planning treason and stealing treasure, King Lion and his queen…

King Lion and his queen pardon Reynard the Fox for all of animals' accusations against him. Reynard told them that the animals were guilty of treason and stealing treasure that was rightfully Lion's.

Reynard the Fox: The King's Pardon

King Lion and his queen pardon Reynard the Fox for all of animals' accusations against him. Reynard…