or over the left shoulder. [PLATE XCVI., Fig. 4.] They had swords suspended at their left sides by a cross-belt, and often carried maces, probably of bronze or iron, which bore a rosette or other ornament at one end, and a ring or strap at the other.  The tunics of archers were sometimes elaborately embroidered; and on the whole they seem to have been regarded as the flower of the foot-soldiery.  Generally they are represented in pairs, the two being in most cases armed and equipped alike; but, occasionally, one of the pair acts as guard while the other takes his aim.  In this case both kneel on one knee, and the guard, advancing his long wicker shield, protects both himself and his comrade from missiles, while he has at the same time his sword drawn to repel all hand-to-hand assailants. [PLATE XCVII., Fig. 1.]

[Illustration:  PLATE 97]

In the early part of the second period, which synchronizes with the reign of Sargon, the difference in the costumes of the foot-soldiers becomes much more marked.  The Assyrian infantry now consists of two great classes, archers and spear-men.  The archers are either light-armed or heavy-armed, and of the latter there are two clearly distinct varieties.  The light-armed have no helmet, but wear on their heads a mere fillet or band, which is either plain or patterned. [PLATE XCVI., Fig. 3.] Except for a cross-belt which supports the quiver, they are wholly naked to the middle.  Their only garment is a tunic of the scantiest dimensions, beginning at the waist, round which it is fastened by a broad belt or girdle, and descending little more than half-way down the thigh.  In its make it sometimes closely resembles the tunic of the first period, but more often it has the peculiar pendent ornament which has been compared to the scotch phillibeg, and which will be here given that name.  It is often patterned with squares and gradines.  The light-armed archer has usually bare feet; occasionally, however, he wears the slight sandal of this period, which is little more than a cap for the heel held in place by two or three strings passed across the instep.  There is nothing remarkable in his arms, which resemble those of the preceding period:  but it may be observed that, while shooting, he frequently holds two arrows in his right hand besides that which is upon the string.  He shoots either kneeling or standing, generally the latter.  His ordinary position is in the van of battle, though sometimes a portion of the heavy-armed troops precede him.  He has no shield, and is not protected by an attendant, thus running more risk than any of the rest of the army.