History of lions in Europe

The history of lions in Europe is part of the wider history of the lion species complex. The rediscovery and confirmation of their presence in Europe, already known by myths, historical accounts and ancient art, was made possible by the finds of fossils of Pleistocene, Holocene and Ancient lions excavated in Europe since the early 19th century.

The oldest remains of lions in Europe, assigned to the species Panthera fossilis, are over 600,000 years old. This species represents one of the largest known felids to have ever existed; it eventually evolved into the smaller, modern lion-sized cave lion (Panthera spelaea), which is widely depicted in Palaeolithic European cave painting. Remains of P. fossilis and P. spelaea are known from across Europe. Cave lions became extinct around 14,000 years ago at the end of the Pleistocene. During the early-middle Holocene from around 8,000-6,000 years ago, the modern lion colonised Southeast Europe and parts of Central and Eastern Europe, before becoming extinct in Europe likely during classical times or perhaps as late as the Middle Ages.

Lions have appeared in European literature since the times of Ancient Greece, such as in the Iliad, or with the story of the Nemean lion. Ancient Greeks also depicted them in sculpture, such as with the Lion Gate of Mycenae or in the island-sanctuary of Delos, where various sculptures of lions survive to this day.

During the Roman Republic and later Roman Empire, using lions in gladiatorial games and public spectacles was a prized endeavor. North African Barbary lions were imported into Europe during the Middle Ages.