WARFARE OF ANTIQUITY. 9 



as in fig. 4. When the lance, however, was only three or four ells long, it was 

 called a javelin, and each warrior had then from two to four of them, sometimes 

 double pointed also (pL 2, figs. 3,4). The sword was usually straight, and 

 very short, because it was a point of honor to let the foe approach closely. 

 The straight sword {pi. 3, fig. 14), which was carried at the right side in a 

 belt from the shoulder, had a broad blade, seldom any point, but a short 

 cross-guard, and was used for cutting ; there was, however, another and 

 shorter sword (fig. 16), which served as a long dagger, and had no cross- 

 guard. PL 2, figs. 6, 7, 8, 10, 16, and 17, show the manner of using both 

 kinds. A curved sword is also frequently seen (pi. S, fig. 21). This was 

 very slightly bent, sharpened only on one edge, had a cross-guard, and, for 

 better balance, was heaviest at the lower end. The sheath (fig. 20) was 

 straight, like a quiver. The bow had various forms ; thus, the Theban bow 

 (fig. 27) had a single curve, while the Athenian was double curved, with a 

 straight piece in the middle, for the better placing of the arrow (fig. 17). The 

 bows were made sometimes of naturally curved wood or horn, sometimes cut 

 out of hard close-grained wood ; they were strung with sinew or horse-hair. 

 When not in use they were thrust into the bow-case (figs. 2, 3). The 

 arrows, of light wood and very long, were carried in a quiver (fig. 2), which 

 hung usually over the shoulder on the left side, as with the Amazons (pi. 2, 

 fig. 2), but was also often carried on the back; to its barbed head wisps of 

 tow, dipped in pitch and lighted, were often fastened, for the purpose of 

 setting fire to objects. The sling, with which stones, leaden balls, and often 

 fire balls were thrown, consisted of several thongs, with a centre-piece in 

 which the projectile lay, but was soon laid aside as the use of the lance 

 came to be better understood. To defensive arms belong, first, the helmet ; 

 and with the Greeks this piece of armor had the greatest variety of forms, 

 from the simplest skull-cap to the highest adornment. PL S,figs. 9, 10, 11, 

 12, and 13, give examples of this, and on pi. 2, also, are various patterns. 

 The helmet was sometimes of hide, studded with metal, and painted ; some- 

 times entirely of wrought metal. The principal part was the cap, to which 

 cheek-pieces were attached, serving as well to give a firmer hold upon the 

 head as to protect the face of the wearer (pi. 2, fig. 7 ; and the trumpeter, 

 fig. 9). Often, however, these parts were wanting in the helmet, while the 

 neck-piece was never absent. Finally we remark the crest ; this had often 

 the strangest forms, as in pi. S, figs. 10 and 11, but was usually adorned 

 with a plume of feathers or horse-hair, which flaunted in the gayest colors ; 

 frequently, indeed, the plume was triple, as fig. 13 ; or there were other 

 plumes at the sides, as fig. 12 ; or buffalo horns, as fig. 10. In most cases, 

 a horse-tail floated from the lower end of the crest. Often the helmet had 

 a vizor, to protect the face, as fig. 9 ; this vizor had holes for the eyes, and 

 in combat was pushed down (pi. 2, figs. 3 and 6). The cuirass consisted 

 of a breast and a back-piece, and extended from the neck to the hips, where 

 it was held together by a belt. From the back-piece forward a plate passed 

 over each shoulder, uniting the two halves at the upper part. PI. S,figs. 18 

 and 19, show cuirasses, one of which reaches below the hips, but the other 

 has a row of metal plates, or leather straps covered with woven wire, which 



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