New Greek historians Herodotus and Ctesias reference Xerxes’ partner because the Amestris. Although some moderate linguistic connection amongst the label Amestris in addition to title Vashti (Persian “sht” so you’re able to Greek “st”) seems you’ll, a stronger relationship can be obtained between the Greek Amestris therefore the Hebrew Esther:
- The new “is” at the bottom is just good Greek suffix set in turn this new foreign term into the right Greek grammatical function (just as “es” are extra at the conclusion of “Xerxes”).
- Title Amestris would depend around the consonants Yards, S, T, and you will R, and the name due to the fact filed in the Megillah depends up to the newest consonants S, T, and you will R.
Very likely, this is simply not happenstance; perhaps their unique Persian identity try including the fresh new consonants Yards, S, T, and you can R, and M wasn’t maintained on the Hebrew Asia Me brudar.
Amestris: Wife off Xerxes – Herodotus
- Inside the intricate membership away from Xerxes’ invasion push up against Greece, the brand new Persian contingent of your own military is actually demanded by the Otanes, who was the father out of Xerxes’ spouse Amestris (VII:61).
- After bringing up that Xerxes’ intrusion push registered a town called Nine Suggests, the guy produces:
Around, reading you to definitely 9 Suggests try the name of put, they [=this new Persians] tucked alive one quantity of boys and you can maidens, youngsters of the people of the country. To help you bury alive is a great Persian custom; You will find read that when Xerxes’ wife Amestris attained so you’re able to dated many years she hidden 14 sons out-of renowned Persians, just like the a thank-you-providing on her behalf individual behalf on fabled goodness of one’s nether world (VII:114).
- He says to a story depicting the fresh new cruelty regarding Amestris. The following is a brief outline of tale:
(Sardis try where Xerxes stayed temporarily once he first started his refuge away from his intrusion regarding Greece before the guy gone back to Susa.) New wife from Masistes rejects their enhances. Xerxes after that organizes a married relationship anywhere between their son Darius plus the child away from Masistes, believing that this should ultimately assist your seduce mom. The story goes on at Susa, towards the perfect period of the extension unspecified. On the extension, Amestris brings Xerxes a pleasant robe one to wove together with her very own hands. Through this time, Xerxes had transported their affections towards daughter, today married to help you their son Darius, and you may Xerxes got an event with her. Xerxes turns out providing the child the new gown.
Whenever Amestris discovers, she takes revenge into the mom. She delivers towards the soldiers of one’s regal bodyguard possesses mom mutilated. A lot of her areas of the body are ordered cut off as they are thrown on pet. When Masistes notices what was done to his wife, he chooses to stir up a beneficial revolt up against Xerxes. Ultimately, Xerxes’ pushes kill Masistes, his sons, and all the brand new men not as much as their order (IX:108-113).
Amestris: Spouse out-of Xerxes – Ctesias
A later Greek historian, Ctesias (writing immediately after eight hundred B.C.Age.) whom served just like the a physician in order to Artaxerxes II as well as writes in the Amestris. From him, we find out the following.
- Amestris outlives Xerxes and you will becomes deceased after she’s “grown very old.”
- Shortly after years of pestering, Amestris was finally capable convince their unique young man Artaxerxes to allow their avenge the brand new death of a unique son Achaemenides. This woman is able to has 50 Greeks decapitated and their leader Inarus impaled, in revenge getting Inarus and his dudes having killed Achaemenides four many years prior to, whenever Inarus got contributed good revolt.
- This woman is because of the authority from the Artaxerxes to penalize a doctor who ytis to your that have sexual affairs which have him; she instructions your kept in chains and you may tortured for a couple of weeks, and ultimately tucked real time.