Someone in Susa

And straight after that, a seven-day party in the palace garden for everyone in Susa, from the least important to the greatest. Things I saw: 1. White and blue linen hangings on silver rings and marble pillars. 2. Gold and silver couches on a mosaic floor. 3. Gold cups, every one a different design. 4. King's orders: no limit on the drinking.

The book of Esther@bookofesther · SusaWelcome to Susa, capital of Persia. The king is Xerxes, and he rules 127 provinces, from India to Cush at the far end of the Nile. Third year of his reign, he throws a party for every official and army leader in the empire. It lasts 180 days. The point is to show off how rich he is.

We have a new queen. Esther. The king loved her more than all the others and put the crown on her head himself. Huge banquet in her honour, gifts, and a tax holiday across the provinces.

Replying to @bookofesther

Wait. What is going on? Nobody in the city can make sense of it.

Mordecai has torn his clothes and put on sackcloth, the rough cloth people wear to mourn, with ashes on him. He walked through the middle of the city wailing out loud. Went as far as the king's gate. You're not allowed through it in sackcloth.

Okay, what are they building at Haman's house? It's massive. Fifty cubits high, about twenty-three metres.

No because I just watched Haman lead Mordecai round the square on the king's horse, in the king's robe, shouting that this is how the king honours someone.

Haman@hamanThe king just asked me what should be done for the man he wants to honour. My advice: a royal robe the king has worn, a horse the king has ridden with the royal crest on its head, and one of his top nobles to dress the man and lead him through the square, announcing that this is how the king honours someone. I wonder who it's for.

Replying to @someone.insusa

Then Mordecai went straight back to his seat at the gate. Haman ran home with his head covered.

Mordecai just came out from the king in royal blue and white, a big gold crown and a purple linen robe. The whole city is shouting for joy.

Someone in Susa@someone.insusa · SusaWait. What is going on? Nobody in the city can make sense of it.

Big feast’s finally over, and now it’s our turn. Seven days in the palace garden, for everyone in the citadel, nobodies and big names alike. Going tonight.

Replying to @someone.insusa

Day four. Still not over the cups. All gold, and no two the same.

Replying to @harbonah

Wait. She said no? To the king? Be so for real.

Replying to @royal.courier

Good luck with that one.

We have a new queen. Esther. The king loved her more than all the others, and he put the royal crown on her head himself.

They’ve put it up in the citadel. The whole city’s in uproar. What is going on?

Mordecai, the man who sits at the king’s gate. He’s torn his clothes and put on sackcloth, the rough cloth you wear when you’re mourning, and ashes. He walked right through the middle of the city crying out loud. Bitter, bitter crying.

Replying to @builder.susa

Fifty cubits?? Who is that even for?

Mordecai just came out from the king in royal blue and white, a big gold crown and a purple linen robe. The whole city is shouting for joy. What a turnaround.

Someone in Susa@someone.insusaThey’ve put it up in the citadel. The whole city’s in uproar. What is going on?