CHAP. xiii.] THE PHOENICIANS AND THEIR INFLUENCE. 453 



discovered by Mr. Rassam in the Mound of Ballawat, in 

 1877. On these gates is the record of the Tyrian and 

 Sidonian tribute paid in B.C. 859. 



" Here we see," writes a contributor to the Standard, 

 " ' rock-built ' Tyre standing on a rugged island, at a 

 short distance from the shore, and surrounded by a 

 strong wall, with serrated battlements and gates with 

 flanking .towers. From the shore or mainland gate 

 there slopes down to the sea a broad incline, down which 

 two persons, male and female, evidently a representative 

 couple, are bearing the objects of tribute to the ships. 

 Between the mainland and the island we see represented 

 the Phoenician vessels plying with the cargoes of offer- 

 ings. These boats are long and narrow, with high bow 

 and stern, both ends being fashioned alike, 1 and termi- 

 nated in rams' heads. These boats, propelled by a 

 sailor at either end with a broad-bladed oar, resemble 

 very much the Levantine shore boats, or the Turkish 

 kayik. One boat, retained in its place alongside the 

 Tyrian quay by the boatmen, is just being loaded 

 with bales of cloth, brazen bowls, vessels, etc., and trays 

 containing ingots of precious metals. The freight is 

 stowed in the centre of the boat, the heavier packages 

 at the bottom, space being left for the free action of 

 the rowers. A second vessel, which has received its 

 cargo and is nearing the beach, is being dragged ashore 

 by two sailors, who have tucked up their robes and 

 rushed into the surf to draw the vessel up to the beach. 

 On the main shore the artist has well represented the 

 animated scene which was enacted. Porters and sailors 

 are bringing up the tribute offerings from the ships, and 

 are being arranged in line by the Assyrian soldiery, so 



1 Compare Fig. 165 with this description. 



