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.