³In the third year of his rule King Xerxes gave a big dinner. It was for all of his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there. So were the princes and the nobles of the territories he ruled over. ⁴Every day for 180 days he showed his guests the great wealth of his kingdom. He also showed them how glorious his kingdom was.

⁵When those days were over, the king gave another big dinner. It lasted for seven days. It was held in the garden of the king’s courtyard. It was for all of the people who lived in the safest place in Susa. Everyone from the least important person to the most important was invited.

⁶The garden was decorated with white and blue linen banners. They hung from ropes that were made out of white linen and purple cloth. The ropes were connected to silver rings on marble pillars. There were gold and silver couches in the garden. They were placed on a floor that was made out of small stones. The floor had purple crystal, marble, mother-of-pearl and other stones of great value.

⁷Royal wine was served in gold cups. Each cup was different from all of the others. There was plenty of wine. The king always provided as much as his guests wanted. ⁸He commanded that they should be allowed to drink as much or as little as they wished. He directed all of his servants to give them what they asked for.

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