CROWN (n1C3,))• Crowns are often mentioned in Scripture, and in such a manner as in most cases to indicate the circumstances under which, and the persons by whom, they were worn ; for crowns were less exclusively worn by sovereigns than among modern nations. Perhaps it would be better to say that the term 'crown' was applied to other ornaments worn for the head than those exclusively worn by royal personages, and to which modern usage would give such distinctive names as coronet, band, mitre, tiara, garland, etc.
The royal crown originated in the diadem, which was a simple fillet fastened round the head and tied behind. This obviously took its rise among a people who wore long hair, and used a band to prevent it from falling over the face. The idea oc curred of distinguishing kings by a fillet of different colour from that usually worn ; and being thus established as a regal distinction, it continued to be used as such even among nations who did not wear the hair long, or was employed to confine the head-dress. We sometimes see this diadem as a simple fillet, about two inches broad, fastened round the otherwise bare head, we then find it as a band of gold (No. 197, figs. 2, 5). In this shape it sometimes forms the basis of raised ornamental work (figs. 6, 7, 8, to), in which case it becomes what we should consider a crown ; and indeed the original diadem may be traced in most ancient crowns. Fig. 10 is curious, not only from the simplicity of its form, but on account of the metallic loop to be passed under the chin—a mode of securing the crown probably adopted in war or in the chase. Then we find the diadem surrounding the head-dress or cap (figs. 3, 9, 13), and when this also is orna mented, the diadem may be considered as having become a crown. The word 111 nezer is sup posed to denote a diadem. It is applied to the inscribed plate of gold in front of the high-priest's mitre, which was tied behind by a ribbon (Exod. xxix. 6; xxxix. 3o), and which was doubtless something of the same kind that we see in figs. 8, 1. This word is also employed to denote the diadem which Saul wore in battle, and which was brought to David (2 Sam. i. to), and also that which was used at the coronation of the young Joash (2 Kings xi. 12) ; and, as another word is
applied elsewhere to the crown used in this cere monial, the probability is that the Hebrew kings wore sometimes a diadem and sometimes a crown, and that the diadem only was accessible to the high-priest, by whom Joash was crowned, the crown itself being most likely in the possession of Athaliah. As Psalm lxxxix. was certainly com posed by David, the regal use of the diadem is further indicated in ver. 39.
The more general word for a crown is niny atarah ? and it is applied to crowns and head ornaments of different sorts, including those used by the kings. When applied to their crowns, it appears to denote the state crown as distinguished from the diadem. This, the Rabbins allege, was of gold set with jewels ; such was the crown which David took from the king of the Ammo nites (2 Sam. xii. 30), and afterwards wore him self, as did probably his successors. Of its shape it is impossible to form any notion, unless by re ference to the examples of ancient crowns con tained in the preceding cut. These figures, how Hebrew monarchies. In Egypt and Persia there are sculptures of earlier date, representing royal crowns in the shape of a distinguishing tiara, cap, or helmet, of metal, and of cloth, or partly cloth and partly metal. Such are the Egyptian crowns as represented in the above engraving (No. 198). Fig. 1 is the crown of Lower, and fig. 2 that of Upper Egypt ; and when both kingdoms were under one sovereign, the two crowns were united, as in fig 3. Such union of the crowns of different countries upon one head is matter of historical re cord. Thus when Ptolemy Philometer entered Antioch as a conqueror, he placed on his head the crowns of Egypt and of Asia. This would, in fact, form three crowns, as his previous one was doubtless the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The diadem of two or three fillets (figs. 4, No. 197) may have been similarly significant of dominion over two or three countries. There are allusions to this custom in Scripture (Rev. xii. 3 ; xis. 12). These Egyptian tiaras were worn in war, and on occasions of state ; but on ordinary occasions a fillet or diadem was used, affording corroboration of a previous remark.