The spearmen of this period are scarcely better armed than the second or intermediate class of archers.  Except in very rare instances they have no coat of mail, and their tunic, which is either plain or covered with small squares, barely reaches to the knee.  The most noticeable point about them is their helmet, which is never the common pointed or conical one, but is always surmounted by a crest of one kind or another. [PLATE XCVII..  Fig. 3.] Another very frequent peculiarity is the arrangement of their cross-belts, which meet on the back and breast, and are ornamented at the points of junction with a circular disk, probably of metal.  The shield of the spearman is also circular, and is formed generally, if not always—­of wickerwork, with (occasionally) a central boss of wood or metal. [PLATE XCVII., Fig. 4.] In most cases their legs are wholly bare; but sometimes they have sandals, while in one or two instances they wear a low boot or greave laced in front, and resembling that of the cavalry. [PLATE XCVII..  Fig. 4.] The spear with which they are armed varies in length, from about four to six feet. [PLATE XCVIII..  Fig. 1.] It is grasped near the lower extremity, at which a weight was sometimes attached, in order the better to preserve the balance.  Besides this weapon they have the ordinary short sword.  The spear-men play an important part in the Assyrian wars, particularly at sieges, where they always form the strength of the storming party.

[Illustration:  PLATE 98]

Some important changes seen to have been made under Sennacherib in the equipment and organization of the infantry force.  These consisted chiefly in the establishment of a greater number of distinct corps differently armed, and in an improved equipment of the more important of them.  Sennacherib appears to have been the first to institute a corps of slingers, who at any rate make their earliest appearance in his sculptures.  They were kind of soldier well-known to the Egyptians and Sennacherib’s acquaintance with the Egyptian warfare may have led to their introduction among the troops of Assyria.  The slinger in most countries where his services were employed was lightly clad, and reckoned almost as a supernumerary.  It is remarkable that in Assyria he is, at first, completely armed according to Assyrian ideas of completeness, having a helmet, a coat of mail to the waist, a tunic to the knees, a close-fitting trouser, and a short boot or greave.  The weapon which distinguishes him appears to have consisted of two pieces of rope or string, attached to a short leathern strap which received the stone. [PLATE XCVIII., Fig. 4.] Previous to making his throw, the slinger seems to have whirled the weapon round his head two or three times, in order to obtain on increased impetus—­a practice which was also known to the Egyptians and the Romans.  With regard to ammunition, it does not clearly appear how the Assyrian slinger was supplied.  He has no bag like the Hebrew slinger, no sinus like the Roman.  Frequently we see him simply provided with a single extra stone, which he carries in his left hand.  Sometimes, besides this reserve, he has a small heap of stones at his feet; but whether he has collected them from the field, or has brought them with him and deposited them where they lie, is not apparent.