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 unwieldy 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: — << Μηρους τε, κνήμας τε κάτω, και στέρνα, και ωμους

Ασπιδος ευρείης γαστρι καλυψαμενος.”

And the expression of Virgil,

Clypeique sub orbe teguntur." Æn. ii. 227. Conf. Hom. Il. v, 405.; 0, 266.; and P, 128. Ajax' shield, nute

πύργον.

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

in the paintings of the tombs of the kings; and in some instances a piece of leather or wood was attached to or let into it, above and below the centre.

In stringing it, the Egyptians fixed the lower point in the ground, and, standing or seated, the knee pressed against the inner side of the bow, they bent it with one hand, and then passed the string with the other into the notch at the upper extremity; and one instance occurs of a man rest

No. 27.

Mode of stringing the bow.

Thebes and Beni Hassan.

VOL. I.

X

ing the bow on his shoulder, and bracing it in that position.

While shooting they frequently

No. 28.

Stringing a bow.

Beni Hassan.

wore a guard on the left arm, to prevent its receiving an injury from the string; and this was not only fastened round the wrist, but was secured by a thong tied above the elbow. Sometimes a groove

No. 29.

A guard worn on the wrist.

Thebes