to the iron/clay mixture). Second, the materials are listed in order of increasing hardness (gold is the most pliable, whereas iron is the strongest). These qualities will reflect something about the kingdoms they represent. Third, the fifth and final material is unique in regard to the others. It is not a pure metal but rather a composite of metal and clay (which do not easily blend or adhere to one another). Also, it shares the same metal as the fourth part, namely iron (which probably suggests