It had a short straight blade, a mere crossbar for a guard, and a handle almost devoid of ornament.

This plainness was compensated, if we may trust Curtius, by the magnificence of the sheath, which was, perhaps, of jasper, agate, or lapis lazuli.
[PLATE XXXIII., Fig.

2.] [Illustration: PLATE XXXIII.] The officers in most close attendance on the monarch's person were, in war, his charioteer, his stool-bearer, his bow-bearer, and his quiver-bearer; in peace, his parasol-bearer, and his fan bearer, who was also privileged to carry what has been termed "the royal pocket-handkerchief." The royal charioteer is seemingly unarmed.

His head is protected merely by a fillet.

He sits in front of his master, and both his hands are fully occupied with the management of the reins.