The lyre was a stringed musical instrument widely used in ancient Greek and Roman cultures, playing a significant role not only in musical expression but also as an accompaniment to poetic recitations. Typically constructed with a round resonator box (soundbox) made of shell or wood, two side arms, and strings stretched between them, the lyre was played by striking the strings with fingers or a plectrum to produce melodic and harmonic music. It found applications ranging from religious rituals to entertainment and even education.

The aulos, on the other hand, was a wind instrument often consisting of two pipes with double reeds. Each pipe could produce different notes, allowing the player to create rich and multi-layered music in a single performance. The aulos provided a rhythmic and dynamic musical backdrop and was used in various events such as religious ceremonies, military parades, and theatrical performances.