454 EARLY MAN IN BRITAIN. [CHAP. xin. 



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 c 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 offi- 

 cials, we see the conqueror Shalmanezar. Clad in his 

 richest robes of state, with a tiara on his head, the king 

 receives the Phoenician deputation. In his hand he 

 holds a bow and a pair of arrows, the emblems of sub- 

 mission 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 



