The Sang-e Shir, or Stone Lion, Hamadan (Ecbatan), Western Iran. Parthian Period (256BC - 226AD) or earlier. Length: 3.51 metres. Variously ascribed to Alexander the Great or the Parthians, it is still recognizable despite many centuries of rubbing by wistful Hamandanis. According to the Arab commentator Masudi (d.956), the lion used to stand beside the 'Lion Gate' (Bib al-Asad) on a low hill overlooking the road to Ray and Khorasan.