Queen Esther’s Banquets: A Fabulous Strategist
Esther Denouncing Haman (Ernest Normand, 1888)
The strong women of the Bible were more than just strong. They were powerful, determined, intelligent, and also relentless. A severed head was a minor matter if the goal was righteous, often involving the salvation of their Hebrew compatriots. While the Hebrew women’s world was generally tied to family and domestic aspects like the rest of the ancient world, many women actively participated in social, political, and economic life, even in diplomatic relations. Women like Sarah, Abraham’s wife, or Queen Vashti, the predecessor of Esther, organized gatherings exclusively for women, although Vashti fell out of favor with King Ahasuerus, likely Xerxes I of Persia.
This mighty Ahasuerus eventually married Esther, our heroine. It was the 5th century BCE, filled with challenges. The king, who had a penchant for organizing grand feasts to impress friends and foes alike, conceived a 180-day-long spectacle. It was an immense celebration for all the princes and attendants. He even invited nobles from the provinces to revel in his splendor and might. The decoration matched the dishes, and the guests were welcomed to a royal palace adorned with white and violet drapes, held by silver rings and silk cords, all atop marble columns. The floors were made of alabaster and marble, creating mosaics with mother-of-pearl. Countless tables and beds of gold and silver adorned various palace rooms.
Throughout those six months, the drinks flowed abundantly, with countless menus served on golden plates and goblets. Palace stewards managed the service daily, assisted by a numerous retinue of servants, cooks, and musicians who filled the days with joy. One can imagine the grandeur of such a festival, with the number of dishes and wines required, and a limitless number of princes reveling in merriment. While everyone enjoyed themselves, politics ran its course with all its interests. Just like in all good stories, there was a villain, Haman, the king’s chief advisor, who planned to exterminate the entire Jewish population in what we would now call a genocide. However, the cunning Jewish queen Esther, aware of Haman’s plans, arranged a first banquet for King Ahasuerus, summoning both him and Haman to a second banquet. The king must have enjoyed the first one, as he agreed to attend the second. After this, Esther finally achieved her objective: Haman’s death and his replacement with her own cousin, Mordecai, along with the pardon for her people.
Jews still celebrate the Purim festival in memory of this salvation from the massacre. They bake traditional pastries called “Haman’s Ears,” a humorous and stylish way to remember the minister. Yet, the focus remains on powerful, intelligent, cunning, and relentless Esther, who achieved her goals through diplomacy and fine dining. She saved her people, gained power and prestige, all thanks to her skill in organizing splendid banquets. The strong women of the Bible were also excellent organizers and knew how to compose a menu.
