The mirror., 1918-09-19
HAMAN

When we remember and think of the valiant
Leondas and his small but heroic band of warriors
holding the pass of ThermOpylae against the Per-
sian hosts do not any connection between him
and the Bible. Yet he was. partly. responsible for
one of that Books most thrilling and beautiful
mances Xerxes ascended the thrown of Persia
when that empire at the height of it's power He
ruled over a domain that extended from India even
unto Ethiopia" and it was during campaign against
Greece. in effort to add her territory to the Per-
sian EMPIRE that the battle of Thermopylae was
fought. The price Xerxes paid for way through
that mountain pass the beginning of his final de-
feat that ended all hopes of Persian conquest of
Greece.
One of the results of this defeat was the /selec-
tion of Hadassah, beautiful Jewish maiden who
lived with her foser-father in the Persian capital
Susa or Shushan. to be Xerxes' queen-which is
told in the Book of Esther
This Xerxes of ancient history is the Ahasuerus
of the Bible. 1t was in 4S6 B. G. that he ascended
the throue of Persia. During the third year of his
reign he gave wonderful celebration in the royal
city of Shushan. All the mobiles and princes of the
Provinces over hundred and seven and twenty
the power of Persia and Media" were present.
When the celebration had lasted "a hundred and
fourscore days. the king prepared special banquet
In the royal palace for his guests. The appoint
ments furnished for the of his guests were mag
nifcient beyond description. Beds of gold and
silver upon red, blue, white and black MARBLE
The hsngngs were luxurious beyond compare and
the feast was served in vessels of gold."
Now, when sevendays of banqueting and plea
sure had passed king Ahasuerus sent a command to
queen Vashti that she clothe herself in the royal
robes and present herself before him TO shew the
people and the princes her beauty for she was fair
to look upon." But the queen also engaged in ban
quoting the women guests at the court, would have
none of her lords commands. She refused to pre-
sent herself before the king and his guests For this
disregard of royal will Vasht was stripped of her
royalty.
After the display of the kings riches and honor
was ended there followed four years of preparation
for the conquest of Greece. From the farthest ends
of the empire soldiers and the accessories of war
were gathered together until the largest army of
which history has record was assembled. Ahas-
marched to Greece, suffered dsaserous defeat
and returned in alarm to his royal city. To forget
his losses and broken hopes of greater power he
plunged into the pleasure of court life-and he re-
membered Vashti.''
His advisers. who had Influenced him in de-
posing the beautiful queen, fearing she might win
royal favor again and be revenged upon them,
suggested to the king that the most beautiful virgin
in the kingdom be chosen to fill Vashti's place as
queen. Quite naturally this met with the sensual,
efeminate kings ready approval and decree was
issued commanding that all the fairest maidens in
the kingdom be brought befor the king.
Established in the service of the king in the
royal palace was jew, Mordecai by name. Having
been born after the Babylonan captivity his nation
ality was not known. SO when he learned of the
kings decree he commanded his adopted daughter
Hadassah Esther, to prepare herself he intend
ed that she should be among the maidens from
whom the king was to choose queen. After twelve
months devoted to preparing for the event the
maidens appeared before Ahasuerus. THE king
loved Esther above all the women" the royal crown
was placed upon her head and she was proclaimed
queen in Vashti's place. great feast was made
for her and gifts and favors given in all the provin-
ces in the queens honor.
Shortly after Esther became queen Mordecai
saved the kings life. Going about the performance
of his duties he overheard two of the royal chamber
lains plotting against the king-pannng to kill him.
He informed Esther and she made the matter known
to Ahasuerus in Mordecai's name An investiga-
ton was made and the conspirators taken. They
were hanged and record of the event was written
in the book of chronicles before the king"
So Rsther, the beautiful jewess ruled with the
mighty Ahasuerus and five years passed by. Then
Haman one of the empires most noble and powerful
princes found special favor in the sight of the king
He was placed above all other princes and advisors
at the kings court and royal command was given
that the kings servants should bow before Haman
as they would before the king. All obeyed the de-
cree except Mordecal. He refused to recognize
Haman in anv Wav