Difference between revisions of "Ahasuerus"

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(Created page with "'''Ahasuerus''' is the Persian king who is the protagonist of the Book of Esther. ==Overview== Modern authors generally identify Ahasuerus with Xerses I. Ancien...")
 
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==Overview==
==Overview==


Modern authors generally identify [[Ahasuerus]] with [[Xerses I]]. Ancient sources rather refer to him as ''Artaxerses''([[Artaxerses I]], [[Artaxerses II]], or [[Artaxerses III]]). The identification with other Persian kings has also been suggested.
Modern authors generally identify [[Ahasuerus]] with [[Xerses I]]. Ancient sources rather refer to him as ''Artaxerses'' ([[Artaxerses I]], [[Artaxerses II]], or [[Artaxerses III]]). The identification with other Persian kings has also been suggested.


It does not seem however that the author of the [[Book of Esther]] aimed to refer to any particular historical character--in the fictitious narrative [[Ahasuerus]] is simply the generic name for the "King of Persia."
It does not seem however that the author of the [[Book of Esther]] aimed to refer to any particular historical character--in the fictitious narrative [[Ahasuerus]] is simply the generic name for the "King of Persia."

Revision as of 02:29, 13 May 2017

Ahasuerus is the Persian king who is the protagonist of the Book of Esther.

Overview

Modern authors generally identify Ahasuerus with Xerses I. Ancient sources rather refer to him as Artaxerses (Artaxerses I, Artaxerses II, or Artaxerses III). The identification with other Persian kings has also been suggested.

It does not seem however that the author of the Book of Esther aimed to refer to any particular historical character--in the fictitious narrative Ahasuerus is simply the generic name for the "King of Persia."

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