ngs loosely there
down to the ankles: I mean this, all the time the priest is not about
any laborious service, for in this position it appears in the most
agreeable manner to the spectators; but when he is obliged to assist at
the offering sacrifices, and to do the appointed service, that he may
not be hindered in his operations by its motion, he throws it to
the left, and bears it on his shoulder. Moses indeed calls this belt
Albaneth; but we have learned from the Babylonians to call it Emia, for
so it is by them called. This vestment has no loose or hollow parts any
where in it, but only a narrow aperture about the neck; and it is tied
with certain strings hanging down from the edge over the breast and
back, and is fastened above each shoulder: it is called Massabazanes.

3. Upon his head he wears a cap, not brought to a conic form nor
encircling the whole head, but still covering more than the half of it,
which is called Masnaemphthes; and its make is such that it seems to be
a crown, being made of thick swathes, but the contexture is of linen;
and it is doubled round many times, and sewed together; besides which,
a piece of fine linen covers the whole cap from the upper part, and
reaches down to the forehead, and hides the seams of the swathes, which
would otherwise appear indecently: this adheres closely upon the solid
part of the head, and is thereto so firmly fixed, that it may not fall
off during the sacred service about the sacrifices. So we have now shown
you what is the habit of the generality of the priests.

4. The high priest is indeed adorned with the same garments that we have
described, without abating one; only over these he puts on a vestment
of a blue color. This also is a long robe, reaching to his feet, [in
our language it is called Meeir,] and is tied round with a girdle,
embroidered with the same colors and flowers as the former, with a
mixture of gold interwoven. To the bottom of which garment are hung
fringes, in color like pomegranates, with golden bells [13] by a
curious and beautiful contrivance; so that between two bells hangs a
pomegranate, and between two pomegranates a bell. Now this vesture was
not composed of two pieces, nor was it sewed together upon the shoulders
and the sides, but it was one long vestment so woven as to have an
aperture for the neck; not an oblique one, but parted all along the
breast and the back. A border also was sewed to it, lest the aperture
should look too in