shields, and corslets upon
greaves, with Cretan targets, Thracian wicker shields and quivers mixed
with horses' bits, naked swords rising out of these, and the long spears
of the phalanx ranged in order above them, making a harmonious clash of
arms, as they were arranged to clatter when they were driven along, with
a harsh and menacing sound, so that the sight of them even after victory
was not without terror. After the waggons which bore the arms walked
three thousand men, carrying the silver coin in seven hundred and fifty
earthen vessels, each carrying three talents, and borne by four men.
Others carried the silver drinking horns, and goblets and chalices, each
of them disposed so that it could be well seen, and all remarkable for
their size and the boldness of their carving.

XXXIII. On the third day, at earliest dawn, marched the trumpeters, not
playing the music of a march, but sounding the notes which animate the
Romans for a charge. After them were led along a hundred and twenty fat
oxen with gilded horns, adorned with crowns and wreaths. They were led
by youths clad in finely-fringed waistcloths in which to do the
sacrifice, while boys carried the wine for the libations in gold and
silver vessels. After these came men carrying the gold coin, divided
into vessels of three talents each like the silver. The number of these
vessels was eighty all but three. Then came those who carried the
consecrated bowl which Aemilius had made of ten talents of gold adorned
with jewels, and men carrying the plate of Antigonus and Seleukus, and
cups of Therikles-ware,[A] and all Perseus's own service of gold plate.

[Footnote A: This was a particular kind of pottery, originally made at
Corinth.]

Next came the chariot of Perseus with his armour; and his crown set upon
the top of his armour: and then after a little interval came the captive
children of the king, and with them a tearful band of nurses and
teachers, who held out their hands in supplication to the spectators,
and taught the children to beg them for mercy. There were two boys and
one girl, all too young to comprehend the extent of their misfortune.
This carelessness made their fallen state all the more pitiable, so that
Perseus himself walked almost unnoticed; for the Romans in their pity
had eyes only for the children, and many shed tears, while all felt that
the sight was more painful than pleasing till the children were gone by.

XXXIV. Behind the children and t