This cavity was deeper at the sides than at its centre, where it rose nearly to a level with the face of the shield; but there is great difficulty in ascertaining for what purpose it was intended, nor does its appearance indicate either an offensive or defensive use. To the inside of the shield was attached a thong*, by which they suspended it upon their shoulders; and an instance occurs of a shield so supported, which is concave within, and, what is singular, the artist has shown a knowledge of perspec Ασπιδος αμφιβροτης.” Hom. Il. β, 388. Τη ῥα δυω τελαμωνε περι στηθεσσι τετάσθην, Thebes. Ητοι ὁ μεν σάκεος, ό δε φασγανον αργυροηλου.” ΙΙ. 5, 404. And II. o, 479.; к, 149.; μ, 400. ; y, 334., et alibi. tive in his mode of representing it.* Sometimes the handle was so situated that they might pass their No. 20. Concave shield. Thebes. No. 21. Grasping a spear while supporting the shield. Thebes. arm through it and grasp a spear: but this may be another mode of representing the shield slung at their back, the handle being frequently fixed in a position which would prevent their holding the spear in that manner; and though instances occur of the horizontal as well as the perpendicular handle †, the latter appears to have been the more usual of the two. Some of the lighter bucklers were furnished with a wooden bar, placed across the upper part, which was held with the hand; not intended, as in some round Greek shields*, for passing the arm through, while the hand was extended to the thong encircling the cavity of the inside, but solely as a handle; and from their general mode of holding it, we may conclude this bar was sometimes placed longitudinally, an indication of which is even traced in that of fig. 4. They are, however, seldom represented, except at Beni-Hassan, having been either peculiar to certain troops, and employed solely on particular occasions, or confined to foreigners in the pay of Egypt; like those of a still more unusual appearance figured in the same paintings.* Some Egyptian shields were of extraordinary dimensions, and varied in form from those generally used, being pointed at the summit, not unlike some Gothic arches; but as we seldom find any instances No. 24. Large shields. E' Sioot. of them, we may conclude they were rarely of such an unwieldly and cumbrous size. † Indeed, the common Egyptian shield was as large as was consistent with convenience, and if not constructed of light materials, would have been an encumbrance in long marches, or even in the field; and we may * Vide figs. 10, 11. Wood-cut, No. 23. They are met with in a tomb at E'Sioot (Lycopolis), of very ancient date. To them the description of Tyrtæus would apply: 66 Μηρους τε, κνήμας τε κατω, και στέρνα, και ωμους Ασπιδος ευρείης γαστρι καλυψαμενος.” And the expression of Virgil, 66 Clypeique sub orbe teguntur." Æn. ii. 227. Conf. Hom. Il. v, 405.; 0, 266.; and p, 128. Ajax' shield, nutɛ πύργου. even doubt if it ever was covered with a surface of metal. The Egyptian bow was not unlike that used in later times by European archers. The string was either fixed upon a projecting piece of horn, or inserted into a groove or notch in the wood, at either extremity, differing in this respect from that of the Koofa and some other Asiatic people, who secured the string by passing it over a small nut which projected from the circular heads of the bow. No. 25. String of bow belonging to the Koofa. Thebes. The Ethiopians and Libyans, who were famed for their skill in archery, adopted the same method of fastening the string as the Egyptians, and their bow was similar in form and size to that of their neighbours and so noted were the latter for their dexterity in its use that their name is accompanied in the hieroglyphics by a representation of this weapon. The Egyptian bow was a round piece of wood, from five to five feet and a half in length, either almost straight, and tapering to a point at both ends, some of which are represented in the sculptures, and have even been found at Thebes, or curving inwards in the middle, when unstrung, as |