Xerxes’ Royal Feast

This is what happened in the days of Xerxes,[fn] who reigned over127 provinces from India to Cush.[fn] 2 In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.

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In the third year of his reign, [Xerxes] held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media [were there], along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. 4 And for a full180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness.

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At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest. 6 [Hangings of] white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple [material] to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

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Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. 8 By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.

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