and the lower class of citizens required no other clothing than a loin-cloth similar to that of the Egyptians,* or a shirt of a yellow or white colour, extending below the knees, and furnished with short sleeves.  The opening for the neck was cruciform, and the hem was usually ornamented with coloured needlework or embroidery.  The burghers and nobles wore over this a long strip of cloth, which, after passing closely round the hips and chest, was brought up and spread over the shoulders as a sort of cloak.  This was not made of the light material used in Egypt, which offered no protection from cold or rain, but was composed of a thick, rough wool, like that employed in Chaldaea, and was commonly adorned with stripes or bands of colour, in addition to spots and other conspicuous designs.

     * The Asiatic loin-cloth differs from the Egyptian in having
     pendent cords; the Syrian fellahin still wear it when at
     work.

Rich and fashionable folk substituted for this cloth two large shawls—­one red and the other blue—­in which they dexterously arrayed themselves so as to alternate the colours:  a belt of soft leather gathered the folds around the figure.  Red morocco buskins, a soft cap, a handkerchief, a kejfiyeh confined by a fillet, and sometimes a wig after the Egyptian fashion, completed the dress.

[Illustration:  222a.jpg]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a figure on the tomb of Ramses III.

Beards were almost universal among the men, but the moustache was of rare occurrence.  In many of the figures represented on the monuments we find that the head was carefully shaved, while in others the hair was allowed to grow, arranged in curls, frizzed and shining with oil or sweet-smelling pomade, sometimes thrown back behind the ears and falling on the neck in bunches or curly masses, sometimes drawn out in stiff spikes so as to serve as a projecting cover over the face.

[Illustration:  222b.jpg A SYRIAN WITH HAIR TIRED PENT-HOUSE FASHION]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from Champollion.

The women usually tired their hair in three great masses, of which the thickest was allowed to fall freely down the back; while the other two formed a kind of framework for the face, the ends descending on each side as far as the breast.  Some of the women arranged their hair after the Egyptian manner, in a series of numerous small tresses, brought together at the ends so as to form a kind of plat, and terminating in a flower made of metal or enamelled terracotta.  A network of glass ornaments, arranged on a semicircle of beads, or on a background of embroidered stuff, was frequently used as a covering for the top of the head.*

* Examples of Syrian feminine costume are somewhat rare on the Egyptian monuments.  In the scenes of the capturing of towns we see a few.  Here the women are represented on the walls imploring the mercy of the besieger.  Other figures are those of prisoners being led captive into Egypt.

[Illustration:  223.jpg Page Image]