they
sniffed from afar the smell of the good cheer that awaited them, they
ran "like a swarm of flies" and prepared themselves to partake of it.

[Illustration: 204.jpg THE SACRIFICE: A GOAT PRESENTED TO ISHTAR.]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from an Assyrian intaglio
illustrated in A. Rich, _Narrative of a Journey to the Site
of Babylon in 1811_. The sacrifice of the goat, or rather
its presentation to the god, is not infrequently represented
on the Assyrian bas-reliefs.

The supplications having been heard, water was brought to the gods for
the necessary ablutions before a repast. "Wash thy hands, cleanse thy
hands,--may the gods thy brothers wash their hands!--From a clean dish
eat a pure repast,--from a clean cup drink pure water." The statue, from
the rigidity of the material out of which it was carved, was at a loss
how to profit by the exquisite things which had been lavished upon it:
the difficulty was removed by the opening of its mouth at the moment
of consecration, thus enabling it to partake of the good fare to its
satisfaction.* The banquet lasted a long time, and consisted of every
delicacy which the culinary skill of the time could prepare: the courses
consisted of dates, wheaten flour, honey, butter, various kinds of
wines, and fruits, together with roast and boiled meats.

* This operation, which was also resorted to in Egypt in the
case of the statues of the gods and deceased persons, is
clearly indicated in a text of the second Chaldaean empire
published in _W. A. Insc_, vol. iv. pi. 25. The priest who
consecrates an image makes clear in the first place that
"its mouth not being open it can partake of no refreshment:
it neither eats food nor drinks water." Thereupon he performs
certain rites, which he declares were celebrated, if not at
that moment, at least for the first time by Ea himself: "Ea
has brought thee to thy glorious place,--to thy glorious
place he has brought thee,--brought thee with his splendid
hand,--brought also butter and honey;--_he has poured
consecrated water into thy mouth--and by magic has opened
thy mouth._" Henceforward the statue can eat and drink like
an ordinary living being the meat and beverages offered to
it during the sacrifice.

[Illustration: 205.jpg THE GOD SHAMASH SEIZES WITH HIS LEFT HAND THE
SMOKE OF THE SACRIFICE.]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a Chald