2. At that time, Artaxerxes ruled the kingdom from his royal throne in the city of Susa.
3. In the third year of his rule he hosted a feast for all his officials and those from other nations. The leaders of Persia and Media attended, along with his provincial dignitaries and officials.
4. He showed off the awesome riches and beautiful treasures of his kingdom as a reflection of how great he was. The event lasted a long time—six whole months, to be exact!
5. When the days of the wedding feast were over, the king held a six-day wine festival for everyone who remained in the city. They all met in the walled garden of the royal palace.
6. White linen and cotton curtains hung from shining white and red-purple ropes tied to gold and silver rings and marble posts. Gold and silver couches sat on a mosaic floor made of emerald, marble, and mother-of-pearl.
7. The cups were made of gold and silver. There was a miniature cup made of ruby, worth 1,710,000 pounds of silver. The king made sure there was plenty of the best wine, which he himself also drank.
8. The wine festival had no established rules, so the king ordered everyone serving wine in the palace to offer as much as each guest wanted.
9. At the same time, Queen Vashti also held a wine festival of her own for women in King Artaxerxes’ palace.