DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4372#0109
93
chair, richly dressed—a favourite monkey at their feet is rega-
ling on a basket of grapes*. A servant, part of whose livery is
the skin of a leopard, appears to introduce the guests, who are
sitting in rows of men and women, each with a lotus in the
hand. To some of the guests, servants are presenting bowls and
dishes, according to the present usage in many parts of the East.
Athenams, indeed, in his fourth book, states that this was cus-
tomary among the Egyptians only on certain occasions. The
lotus is put into their hands, either as the mode which the artist
had chosen to express that they were all engaged in eating, (the
lotus being a very common food among the Egyptians,) or more
probably it may have been then a custom, as it is now among the
Orientals, to present a nosegay to the guests before the repast.
In Egypt the lotus would naturally be the most welcome-j-;
each of the women has a stalk of the same plant bound round
her head. The antient Greeks used to give their guests a sprig
of myrtle upon this occasion. Their deseendants continue the
custom, but use indiscriminately the flowers in season. Behind
the guests are tables covered with various sorts of viands ; ser-
vants cutting up whole sheep, and others bringing in the dishes.
The banquet is enlivened by the presence of musicians and
dancers. One woman is playing on a harp; another on a double
flute ; three others are dancing in the style of the lascivious
dancers at Cairo, known by the name of Alme ; and a small figure
apart is dancing with a sword in each hand. At the extremity
* Ah/vrfriouri Sh ojxa Sypioitri Siaifd faYi. Herod, lib. ii.
f The Lotus is a most important character in the typical language of Egypt, in my-
sterious subjects, as in those of common life. The shed under which the water jar&
mentioned below are placed, is supported on columns representing lotus-stalks, which
are equally the archetypes of the sceptre of Isis, and of those columns with bell capi-
tals, which have such a striking effect in Egyptian architecture.
are
chair, richly dressed—a favourite monkey at their feet is rega-
ling on a basket of grapes*. A servant, part of whose livery is
the skin of a leopard, appears to introduce the guests, who are
sitting in rows of men and women, each with a lotus in the
hand. To some of the guests, servants are presenting bowls and
dishes, according to the present usage in many parts of the East.
Athenams, indeed, in his fourth book, states that this was cus-
tomary among the Egyptians only on certain occasions. The
lotus is put into their hands, either as the mode which the artist
had chosen to express that they were all engaged in eating, (the
lotus being a very common food among the Egyptians,) or more
probably it may have been then a custom, as it is now among the
Orientals, to present a nosegay to the guests before the repast.
In Egypt the lotus would naturally be the most welcome-j-;
each of the women has a stalk of the same plant bound round
her head. The antient Greeks used to give their guests a sprig
of myrtle upon this occasion. Their deseendants continue the
custom, but use indiscriminately the flowers in season. Behind
the guests are tables covered with various sorts of viands ; ser-
vants cutting up whole sheep, and others bringing in the dishes.
The banquet is enlivened by the presence of musicians and
dancers. One woman is playing on a harp; another on a double
flute ; three others are dancing in the style of the lascivious
dancers at Cairo, known by the name of Alme ; and a small figure
apart is dancing with a sword in each hand. At the extremity
* Ah/vrfriouri Sh ojxa Sypioitri Siaifd faYi. Herod, lib. ii.
f The Lotus is a most important character in the typical language of Egypt, in my-
sterious subjects, as in those of common life. The shed under which the water jar&
mentioned below are placed, is supported on columns representing lotus-stalks, which
are equally the archetypes of the sceptre of Isis, and of those columns with bell capi-
tals, which have such a striking effect in Egyptian architecture.
are