Page:History of Art in Persia.djvu/422

 * 400 History of Art in Antiquity. a central point, where they meet on the upper platform in front of the royal throne (Plate IV.). The processional scenes on either side move in one direction ; but aldiough their attitude is very similar and the space interposing between them is uniform, they are quite distinct Thus, the pose and costumes of the subjects on the right of the principal stairs present a much greater variety. The lines of figures, instead of forming, as on the opposite side, continuous series, are divided into groups by means of diminutive cypress-like trees, which allow the eye to rest in suc- cession upon a number of distinct pictures ; then, too, there is a happy admixture of animal with human forms. Doryphores or guards armed with spears, to the number of a hundred or there- abouts, head the left processional train, extending like the other along the slope of the stairs and the horizontal bands. Greek - writers never fail to mention them in connection with the grand display that surrounded the Lord of Persia, both when he re- viewed his troops, or in those rare pomps when he showed himself to his people.^ Their duty was to watch over the life of the king, around whom also they cluster on the facades of the royal tombs, and they were always the first to arrive, in order that they might station themselves about his throne. Behind this kind of piquet or body-guard came what might be called his own people, those kinsmen that would rally rouml him and form a living wall of their bodies on the field of battle,^ the great nobles, courtiers, officers of every grade, the chiefs of the nation, all those whose birth or office entitled them to appear before the august presence. The similarity of costume which distinguishes these figures betokens equality of rank (Fig. 192). The whole row in this division exhibits but two types, of which every alternate subject is draped in a long robe, its full loose sleeves reaching to the wrists, and its flowing skirts to the ankles. On their heads is a high fluted tiara, square in shape. The other alternate figures, immediately in front or behind, are attired in a close-fitting tunic falling on baggy trousers below the knee Their head-dress is a round topped cap, probably of felt, projecting on the forehead. The Persians of that day would understand at half a glance and put a name to the two sets of dignitaries the sculptor had differen- tiated in this way. As to ourselves, we may be permitted to feel 1 Xenophon, Cyr^.^ VI II. iii. 9-1S; Quintus Cttrtioa^ III. iii. > Quintus Curtins, II T. iii. si. Digitized by Gopglc