to
the enjoyment of their riches and the extension of commerce ; but
gradually their simple tastes became corrupted, and engendered a love
of display. Pearls came into requisition for purposes of decoration.
Like the Persian nobles, Grecian men of rank wore one Pearl ear-ring in
the right ear, while the women wore one in each ear. The women's neck
ornament, as depicted on Greek vases, consisted of a string or gold
wire hanging loosely round the neck, with Pearls or precious stones
strung upon it. It is probable that Pearls are referred to by Homer, in his description of the ear-ornaments of Hera, or Juno :
"In three bright drops, Her glittering gems suspended from her ears."
Iliad xiv.
Theophrastus, the favourite pupil of Aristotle, writing about 300 B.C., mentions the Pearl under the name of μαργαρίτης {Margarites). His
notice however is very brief, and though aware that it was produced by
shell-fish, he classes it among precious stones. In his day, Pearls
were valued for necklaces or bracelets, and in describing their size he
compares them to the eyes of rather large fish. Athenaeus, a learned
Greek who lived about 230 A.D., gives a short description of Pearls,
though he represents them as having been sold for their weight in gold ;
