Page:Early Man in Britain and His Place in the Tertiary Period.djvu/482

454 as to pass before the great king. On the beach are piled the bales of 'rich-dyed garments,' cloth and linen, and precious woods from distant lands. As we pass along the line we see other objects. Borne on small trays are numerous conical ingots of silver and gold, while in delicate baskets are carried gums and precious stones. We also see three men bearing aloft, as objects of precious value, huge brazen caldrons and baths,—objects which were much prized by the Assyrians as spoil or tribute, and which call to mind 'the brazen caldron unscathed by fire,' the prize in the Homeric chariot race. Here we see also the Sidonian bowls and embroidered garments. As we near the head of the procession, we come upon the merchant princes and nobles, who bear the homage and submission of Tyre. Each of them is attended by an Assyrian official, and the deputation is headed by a high military personage, who introduces them to the king. Standing somewhat forward from a brilliant staff of civil and military officials, we see the conqueror Shalmanezar. Clad in his richest robes of state, with a tiara on his head, the king receives the Phœnician deputation. In his hand he holds a bow and a pair of arrows, the emblems of submission tendered by the Tyrian princes, and he appears to be listening to the speech of the officers who head the procession. His head is shaded from the heat of the eastern sun by a rich embroidered umbrella held by an attendant eunuch—his bow, sword, and mace being held by the royal armour-bearer. In the rear of the royal staff of scribes, priests, soldiers, who must have presented a splendid sight in all their rich robes and jewel- encrusted arms, is placed a small detachment of the Royal Assyrian 'Horse Guards,' who ride at ease