Lead was made of service in building; where iron was also employed, if great strength was needed.

The golden images are said to have been sometimes solid, in which case we must suppose them to have been cast in a mold; but undoubtedly in most cases the gold was a mere external covering, and was applied in plates, which were hammered into shape upon some cheaper substance below.

Silver was no doubt used also in plates, more especially when applied externally to walls, or internally to the woodwork of palaces; but the silver images, ornamental figures, and utensils of which we hear, were most probably solid.

The bronze works must have been remarkable.

We are told that both the town and the palace gates were of this material, and it is implied that the latter were too heavy to be opened in the ordinary manner.