Daniel 5:1

Belshazzar Babyl. Bêl-shar-uṣur, -Bel, protect the king!" LXX. Theod. and Vulg. confuse this name with Belteshazzar (Daniel 1:7), representing both by Βαλτασαρ, -Baltassar."

to a thousand of his lords in accordance with the magnificence of Eastern monarchs.

and drank, &c. and before the thousand was drinking wine. By -before" is no doubt meant, facing the guests, at a separate table, on a raised dais at the end of the banqueting-hall. We have little or no information respecting the custom of the king at state-banquets in Babylon: but something similar is reported, or may be inferred, of royal banquets among the Persians (Athen. iv. 26, p. 145 c, ll. 1 3; cf. Rawl. Anc. Mon.4 iii. 215), and Parthians (Athen. iv. 38, p. 153 a b).