Daniel in the Lions’ Den

In the centre of the capital, partly covered with a pattern of foliations, Daniel sits enthroned, flanked by two lions. Daniel is bearded. He is wearing shoes and a long tunic, that leaves his right knee exposed. He holds the ends of two strong chains that are wound loosely round the heads of the two lions.
The animals are disproportionately large in comparison with the prophet. They lay their paws on Daniel’s knee, even if this detail is not preserved in detail. Two lion cubs stand under each of the animals and suck milk. This scene is not taken from the Old Testament, but from the Commentary of Augustine of Hippo (354-430) on Psalm 22. He interprets the lions in this psalm as a demonic force, as an evil spirit that is nourished by man’s errors and mistakes.
The position of this capital within the cloister contradicts the interpretation of some authors who identify the central figure of the relief as the lord of animals. In the south wing we find many images representing the ideal of the Christian mission and the virtue of celibacy. According to Augustine, Daniel personifies precisely this ideal of a life spent in peaceful seclusion and concentrated meditation on God. So this image of Daniel could also have served as an exemplum for the canons.

Daniel Lion´s den chain knee Augustine Hippo psalm_22