the king, sometimes even excelling him in this respect, but he was also the most active manufacturer, and many of the utensils in daily use, as well as articles of luxury, proceeded from his workshops.  His possessions secured for him a paramount authority in the city, and also an influence in the councils of the king:  the priests who represented him on earth thus became mixed up in State affairs, and exercised authority on his behalf in the same measure as the officers of the crown.

[Illustration:  203.jpg A VOTARY LED TO THE GOD TO RECEIVE THE REWARD OF THE SACRIFICE]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a Chaldaean intaglio in the
     Berlin Museum.

He, had, indeed, as much need of riches and renown as the least of his clients.  As he was subject to all human failings, and experienced all the appetites of mankind, he had to be nourished, clothed, and amused, and this could be done only at great expense.  The stone or wooden statues erected to him in the sanctuaries furnished him with bodies, which he animated with his breath, and accredited to his clients as the receivers of all things needful to him in his mysterious kingdom.  The images of the gods were clothed in vestments, they were anointed with odoriferous oils, covered with jewels, served with food and drink; and during these operations the divinities themselves, above in the heaven, or down in the abyss, or in the bosom of the earth, were arrayed in garments, their bodies were perfumed with unguents, and their appetites fully satisfied:  all that was further required for this purpose was the offering of sacrifices together with prayers and prescribed rites.  The priest began by solemnly inviting the gods to the feast:  as soon as they sniffed from afar the smell of the good cheer that awaited them, they ran “like a swarm of flies” and prepared themselves to partake of it.

[Illustration:  204.jpg THE SACRIFICE:  A GOAT PRESENTED TO ISHTAR.]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from an Assyrian intaglio illustrated in A. Rich, Narrative of a Journey to the Site of Babylon in 1811.  The sacrifice of the goat, or rather its presentation to the god, is not infrequently represented on the Assyrian bas-reliefs.

The supplications having been heard, water was brought to the gods for the necessary ablutions before a repast.  “Wash thy hands, cleanse thy hands,—­may the gods thy brothers wash their hands!—­From a clean dish eat a pure repast,—­from a clean cup drink pure water.”  The statue, from the rigidity of the material out of which it was carved, was at a loss how to profit by the exquisite things which had been lavished upon it:  the difficulty was removed by the opening of its mouth at the moment of consecration, thus enabling it to partake of the good fare to its satisfaction.* The banquet lasted a long time, and consisted of every delicacy which the culinary skill of the time could prepare:  the courses consisted of dates, wheaten flour, honey, butter, various kinds of wines, and fruits, together with roast and boiled meats.