Queen Vashti of Persia
Vashti’s story begins to become interesting when on the death of her father, the new King Darius captures young Princess Vashti and takes pitty on her and marries her to his son Xerxes I (also commonly known as Ahasuerus). Now it is important in this story to know Vashti was the great granddaughter of King Nebuchadnezzar, the very king who destroyed Solomon’s Temple and drove the Jews to exile. Here we can find the root of her distaste for the Jewish people, which may explain some of her actions.
While noted for her beauty, Vashti was loved by the Persians. But her actions towards the Jews, found her less than favorable in their eyes. She was accused of forcing Jewish maids to disrobe and work in the nude on the Shabbat. She was also known for her cruelty and arrogant behavior towards the Jewish people and vowed to deny their return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple her grandfather destroyed. This gives you a tidbit into Vashti’s character and the impression she was neither a modest woman nor did she hold the virtue in high regard.
King Xerxes held a 7 day feast with the Shushan subjects. The Queen, in her chambers, held a replica feast for the royal ladies at court (some say as a protest to the King). On the 7th day of the festivities the King called for Vashti to appear before is court wearing the Royal Crown. While some text state that Vashti was summons wearing ONLY the Royal Crown and nothing else, other state that she was simply asked to appear wearing the crown (while clothed) and to dance. Either way, Xerxes wanted to show his now drunken subjects her world renowned beauty.
Vashti was appalled by the King’s request. Having to much pride and royal dignity to parade before her husbands guest, Vashti flatly refused the King. Furious, King Xerxes sought the advise of his lawyers and royal advisor’s. It was quickly decided that if the Queen would not obey her husband the King, then the wives of Persia will follow her lead and start to revolt against their husbands. Not accepting his wife’s humiliation, King Xerxes stated that Vashti was to never again come before the King.
Now what happens to Vashti after this point is not exactly clear. It is generally believed that she was now divorced from the King and banished from the palace. While some say she was beheaded for her defiance, it is thought that would have been too extreme of a punishment for the time and banishment is more widely accepted among historians.
I must comment, this entry has been delayed in its posting due to the fact I have spent hours upon hours searching for what happened to Vashti after the King ordered her to leave. It is nice to think she married again and began a new life, maybe in a different country. But it is very ironic that someone who believed in the displacement of a people was displaced herself. A little bit of ancient Karma.
Of course you will find the short story of Queen Vashti in the Book of Ester in the Bible, but please note this post is not a religious post. This is a post about Vashti herself as a person and who she was.