Ancient Persia and the Book of Esther : Achaemenid Court Culture in the Hebrew Bible (Paperback)

Introduction Why Iconography? The Book of Esther: A New English Translation Exegesis i: The Persian Empire ii: Jews in a Persian world iii: The Book of Records: Persian perceptions of their past iv: Persian Kingship v: Susa and the palaces of Persia vi: Laws and Governance; tax and tribute vii: Banquets: drinking and feasting viii: Gardens - Paradeisoi ix: Couches and cups ; thrones and sceptres x: Courtiers xi: Vashti and her women xii: Elite women at the Persian court xiii: Royal concubinage xiv: Beauty and sexuality xv: Eunuchs xvi: The royal gate xvii: Royal protocol: audiences and formality xviii: The royal robe and gift-giving xix: Persian horses xx: Signet rings and seals xxi: Communications xxii: Peace and rebellion xxiii: Punishments and execution Epilogue: Visualising Esther in the post-Persian world (5,000 words)