Esther

Background

• The book is set in the capital city of the Persian Empire, Susa, east of the promised land and covers a period of about ten years.

Main characters

• Esther
• Haman – son of Hammedatha the Agagite (King Agag who was supposed to have been killed by King Saul).
• Mordecai
• Ahasuerus / Xerxes

Persian Empire

• 492-490 B.C. – Darius makes an effort to conquer Greece
• 480-479 B.C. – Xerxes starts second Greece campaign
• The history is primarily from Herodotus’ 440-430 B.C. writiings.
• Four capital cities: Pasargadae, Babylon, Susa, and Ecbatana

The removal of Vashti (Esther 1)

• The king’s anger was long-lasting. It was about four years before Esther took over as queen.