THE BOOK OF ESTHER: A PERSIAN STORY IN GREEK STYLE

Abstract

This study has shown the striking similarities between the representation of the Persian world and its practices in the Greek literature and in the Book of Esther. Furthermore, it has also shown that most episodes described in Esther's story look like episodes concerning characters that Greek literature situates in the Persian world. The college of lawyers consulted by Ahashwerosh to decide on the future of his wife Vashti looks like the college that legislated on the marriage of Cambyses with his sister (Herodotus). The story of the Esther's ascending to the kingship makes her an other Aspasia (Aelian). Mordecai's refusal to bow down to Haman can be compared with the attitude of the two Spartans in front of Xerxes (Herodotus – Plutarch). The risk that Esther accepts to run in order to go to the King makes her one other Phaedyme (Herodotus); furthermore, she acts in the very same way as Parysatis when she manipulates the King and Haman (Ctesias). Haman's hanging can be compared with the torturing to death of many enemies of the Queens Amestris and Parysatis (Ctesias); and Pourim is not without similarities with the Persian Magophonia (Herodotus). In addition to these numerous similarities, we can add that the book of Esther uses several historiographical techniques, which are distinctive of Hellenistic literature. For example, like Herodotus and others, the authors of Esther were concerned with explaining exotic customs (2,12-14 and 4,11); they also mentioned or quoted allege…