Music was in Babylonia a recognized accompaniment of the feast; and bands of performers, entering with the wine, entertained the guests with concerted pieces.

A rich odor of perfume floated around, for the Babylonians were connoisseurs in unguents.

The eye was delighted with a display of gold and silver plate.

The splendid dresses of the guests, the exquisite carpets and hangings, the numerous attendants, gave an air of grandeur to the scene, and seemed half to excuse the excess of which too many were guilty.
A love of music appears to have characterized both the Babylonians and their near neighbors and kinsmen, the Susianians.

In the sculptured representations of Assyria, the Susianians are shown to have possessed numerous instruments, and to have organized large bands of performers.
The Prophet Daniel and the historian Ctesias similarly witness to the musical taste of the Babylonians, which had much the same character.
Ctesias said that Annarus (or Nannarus), a Babylonian noble, entertained his guests at a banquet with music performed by a company of 150 women.
Of these a part sang, while the rest played upon instruments, some using the pipe, others the harp, and a certain number the psaltery.