Court Ceremonials and Pastimes
‘During the audience the caliph or his representative would sit on an elevated throne.’
Literary sources indicate that there were two types of audience: public (majlis al-`amm) and private (khass), the latter restricted to the closest aides and counsellors. During the audience the caliph or his representative would sit on an elevated throne (sarir), while the audience would be seated according to rank. Some buildings, like Qusayr `Amra, Khirbet al-Mafjar near Jericho, and Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi in Syria, have extensive iconographic programs showing musicians, dancers and female gift-bearers, pastimes that became an integral part of Umayyad court life.
Fresco panel: 'Group of Musicians'

Hegira first third of the 2nd century / AD second half of the 8th century
Umayyad
In situ at Qusayr 'Amra
Amman, Jordan
A fresco, depicting a female dancer and three musicians one of which is the boy shown here playing a flute. Dancing and music-making were popular pastimes at court.