Page:History of Art in Persia.djvu/431

 4IO History of Art in Antiquity. this kind occur in the substructures, where they appear, however, under a different aspect, as bearers of free gifts. The idea is the same, and, although somewhat differently treated, is easily grasped. Besides, Darius leaves no doubt on the subject. " If for a moment thou dost reflect how great is the number of countries King Darius held under his sceptre, and thou dost repeat it [count up], cast thine eye upon the image of those that carry my throne and then wilt thou under- stand." ' As to the corresponding bas-reliefs on the sides of the doorways of the posterior fa9ade, they are very similar to these, except that, in order to adapt them to the shape of the field, the artist has selected a different order of images. On this side he took up again the train of guards that conduct the procession of the great dignitaries of State along the wall and up the steps, and he has grouped them not around their lord — the panel would not lend itself to the arrangement — but below him. They stand out in five lines of ten each, one and all with their special equipment (Fig. 156); three only out of the number being furnished with bucklers. The main scene towards the top is a repetition of that on the opposite side, save that minor figures are added thereto. Behind the monarch and the aiten- dant fanning him is an official, who appears to be the royal arm-b^rer. He holds a small battle-axe or sledge-hammer in one hand, and carries a bow strung on his left shoulder, tilted up by a forked stick, to which a very different use may be assigned besides that of serving as rest to the arm so as to enable the archer to take a good aim. A doryphore closes the march. On the ground, before the king, are tv/o cylindrical Fig. 198. — Persepolis. Pteaentatkm oflkHu'tkiiu. FiAMDiK and Com, fkm amumie,-Vh.t9 CXXX. Digitized by Gopgle
 * Spigcel, Dk «Uip€rsis£ht Kdliiutkriftatt p. 57.