but it is possible that he had other queens, whose names do not happen to have come to light, or that she had alternative names. The name Vashti, which is spelt in seven different ways in as many versions, has been associated with Persian words meaning ‘best’ or ‘the beloved’, ‘the desired one’, a lovely name by which to be known.15 The great king who ruled the known world and enjoyed unlimited resources and prestige was nevertheless vulnerable. This incident raised the