Identifier: cu31924091762140 (find matches)
Title: History of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia and Assyria
Year: 1903 (1900s)
Authors: Maspero, G. (Gaston), 1846-1916 Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry), 1845-1933
Subjects: Civilization, Ancient History, Ancient
Publisher: London : Grolier Society
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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270 THE LAST DAYS OP THE OLD EASTERN WORLD
respect as in other Oriental nations was paid only to the gods: this was but natural, for was he not a despot, who with a word or gesture could abase the noblest of his subjects, and determine the well-being or misery of his people? His dress differed from that of his nobles only by the purple dye of its material and the richness of the gold embroideries with which it was adorned, but he was

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A VIEW OF THE APADANA OF SUSA, RESTORED.
Drawn by Boudier, from the restoration by Marcel Dieulafoy.

distinguished from all others by the peculiar felt cap, kidaris, which he wore, and the blue-and-white band which encircled it like a crown; the king is never represented without his long sceptre with pommelled handle, whether he be sitting or standing, and wherever he went he was attended by his umbrella- and fan-bearers. The prescriptions of court etiquette were such as to convince his subjects and persuade himself that he was sprung from a

271 THE ETIQUETTE OP THE PERSIAN COURT
nobler race than that of any of his magnates, and that he was outside the pale of ordinary humanity. The greater part of his time was passed in privacy, where he was attended only by the eunuchs appointed to receive hisorders; and these orders, once issued, were irrevocable, as was also the kings word, however much he might desire to recall a promise once made. His meals were, as a rule, served to him alone; he might not


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