on which were disposed several vests, some of golden brocade, others adorned with precious stones.

We must not omit a chariot thirty-three feet in length, and twenty-one in breadth, drawn by five: hundred men. In this was the representation of a deep cavern, shrouded with ivy and vine leaves: several pigeons, ring-doves, and turtles issued out of the aperture, and flew about. Little bands were fastened to their feet, that they might be caught by the people around them. Two fountains, likewise, one of milk and the other of wine, flowed out of the cavern. All the nymphs who stood round it wore crowns of gold. Mercury was also seen, with a golden caduceus in his hand, and clothed in a splendid manner.

The expedition of Bacchus into the Indies was exhibited in another chariot, where the god was represented by a statue, eight feet in height, and mounted upon an elephant. He was arrayed in purple, and wore a golden crown, intermixed with twining ivy and vine leaves. A long thyrsus of gold was in his hand, and his sandals were of the same metal. On the neck of the elephant was seated a satyr above seven feet high, with a crown of gold on his head, formed in imitation of pine branches, and blowing a kind of trumpet made of a goat's horn. The trappings of the elephant were of gold, and his neck was adorned with a crown of that metal shaped like the foliage of ivy.

This chariot was followed by five hundred young virgins, adorned with purple vests and golden zones. An hundred and twenty of them, who commanded the rest, wore crowns of gold that seemed to be composed of the branches of pine.

Next to these came an hundred and twenty satyrs, armed at all points, some in silver, and others in copper arms.

To these succeeded five troops of Sileni, and crowned satyrs, mounted on asses, some of whom were entirely harnessed with gold, the rest with silver.

After this troop appeared a long train of chariots, twenty-four of which were drawn by elephants; sixty by he goats; twelve by lions; six by oryges, a species of goats; fifteen by buffaloes; four by wild asses; eight by ostriches; and seven by stags. In these chariots were little youths habited like charioteers, and wearing hats with broad brims. They were accompanied by others of a less stature, clothed in mantles embroidered with gold. The boys who performed the office of charioteers, were crowned with branches of pine; and the lesser youths with ivy.

On each side of these were three chariots drawn by camels, and followed by others drawn by mules. In these chariots were several tents, resembling those of the Barbarians, with Indian women, and those of other nations, habited like slaves. Some of these camels carried three hundred pounds weight of incense; others two hundred of saffron, cinnamon, iris, and other odoriferous spices.

At a little distance from these, marched a band of Ethiopians, armed with pikes. One body of these carried six hundred elephants' teeth; another, two thousand branches of ebony; a third, cups of gold and silver, with a large quantity of gold-dust.

After these came two hunters carrying gilded darts, and marching at the head of two thousand four hundred dogs of the Indian, Hyrcanian, and Molossian breed, beside a variety of other species.

They were succeeded by one hundred and fifty men supporting trees, to which were fastened several species of birds and deer. Cages were also carried, in which were parrots, peacocks, turkey hens, pheasants, and a great number of Ethiopian birds. After these appeared a hundred and thirty sheep of that country; three hundred of the Arabian breed; twenty of the island of Euboca; twenty-six white Indian oxen, eight of the Ethiopian species; also a large white bear; fourteen leopards; sixteen panthers; four

41

lynxes; three small bears; a camelopard*, and an Ethiopian rhinoceros.

Bacchus advanced next, seated in a chariot, and wearing a golden crown embellished with ivy leaves. He was represented as taking sanctuary at the altar of Rhea, from the persecution of Juno. Priapus was placed near him, with a crown of gold formed like the leaves of ivy. The statue of Juno was crowned with a golden diadem; and those of Alexander and Ptolemy wore crowns of fine gold, representing ivy-leaves. The image of Virtue was placed near that of Ptolemy, and on her head was a crown of gold made in imitation of olive-branches. Another statue, representing the city of Corinth, was also near Ptolemy, with a golden diadem on its head. At a little distance from each of these was a great vase filled with golden cups, and a large bowl of the same metal, which contained five metretes.

This chariot was followed by several women richly arrayed, and bearing the names of the Ionian, and other Greek cities in Asia; with the islands which had formerly been conquered by the Persians. All this train wore crowns of gold.

In another chariot was a golden thyrsus, a hundred and thirty-five feet in length, and a silver lance eighty feet long.

In this part of the procession were a variety of wild beasts and horses, and twenty-four lions of a prodigious size; and also a great number of chariots, in which were not only the statues of kings, but those of several deities.

After these came a chorus of six hundred men, among whom were three hundred who played on gilded harps, and wore golden crowns. At a small distance from this band marched two thousand bulls, all of the same colour, and adorned with golden

This animal, whether real or fabulous, is mentioned by Horace, Diversum confusa genus panthera camelo.

frontlets, in the middle of which rose a crown of the same metal. They were also adorned with a collar, and an ægis* hung on the breast of each. All these habiliments were of gold.

The procession of Jupiter, and a great number of other deities, advanced next, and, after all the rest, that of Alexander, whose statue of massy gold was placed in a chariot drawn by elephants; on one side of this statue stood Victory, and on the other Minerva.

The procession was graced with several thrones of gold and ivory, on one of which was a large diadem of gold, and on another a horn of the same metal. A third supported a crown; and a fourth a horn of solid gold. On the throne of Ptolemy Soter, the father of the reigning prince, was a golden crown, which weighed ten thousand pieces of gold, each containing four drachmas.

In this procession were likewise three hundred golden vases, in which perfumes were to be burnt; fifty gilded altars, encompassed with golden crowns. Four torches of gold, fifteen feet in height, were fastened to one of these altars. There were likewise twelve gilded hearths, one of which was eighteen feet in circumference, and sixty in height; and another was only twelve feet and a half high. Nine Delphic tripods of gold appeared next, having six feet in their altitude; and there were six others, nine feet in height. The largest of all was forty-five feet high; several animals in gold were placed upon it, and its upper part was encompassed with a golden crown, formed of a foliage of vine-leaves.

After these were seen several gilded palms, twelve feet in length, together with a caduceus, gilt also,

* A kind of buckler which covered the breast.

+ The Attick Stater, usually called xgoes, was equal to ten livres of French money; the value therefore of this single crown amounted to a hundred thousand French livres, which are about five thousand pounds sterling.

43

44

sixty-six feet long; a gilded thunderbolt, in length sixty feet; a gilded temple, sixty feet in circumference; a double horn twelve feet long; a vast number of gilded animals, several of which were eighteen feet in height. To these were added several deer of a stupendous size, and a set of eagles thirty feet high.

Three thousand and two hundred crowns of gold were likewise carried in this procession; together with a consecrated crown, containing a hundred and twenty feet, undoubtedly, in its circumference; it was likewise adorned with a profusion of gems, and surrounded the entrance into the temple of Berenice. Several large crowns of gold were also supported by young virgins richly habited. One of these crowns was three feet in height, with a circumference of twenty-four.

On

These ornaments of the procession were accompanied with a golden cuirass, eighteen feet in height; and another of silver, twenty-seven feet high. this latter was the representation of two thunderbolts of gold, eighteen feet in length; with an oaken crown embellished with jewels; twenty golden bucklers; sixty-four complete suits of golden armour; two boots of the same metal, four feet and a half in length; twelve basons; a great number of flaggons; ten large vases of perfumes for the baths; twelve beakers; fifty dishes, and a large number of tables; all these were of gold. There were likewise five tables covered with golden goblets; and a horn of solid gold, forty-four feet in length. All these golden vessels and other ornaments, were in a separate procession from that of Bacchus, which has been already described.

There were likewise four hundred chariots laden with vessels, and other works of silver; twenty others filled with golden vessels, and eight hundred more appropriated to the carriage of aromatic spices.

The troops that guarded this procession were composed of fifty-seven thousand and six hundred