$82.53 with 17 percent savings
List Price: $100.00

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
FREE Returns
FREE delivery May 15 - 17
Or fastest delivery May 14 - 16
Usually ships within 2 to 3 days
$$82.53 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$82.53
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Ancient Persia and the Book of Esther: Achaemenid Court Culture in the Hebrew Bible Hardcover – April 6, 2023

by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$82.53","priceAmount":82.53,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"82","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"53","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"4h%2FsSEtyMDolHaicKIffcXtB%2Bikcr23t2rQbj0cGV16R1GxlFNcLIZ4ejngm85DrhSxA4WmmC4hQjBXTT2k8AJr3majqUf%2FmrgW0ezA2Iij4mAJFtdQH8Ux6Xr2TP3DeIrQrHP73CbxiC143hpU3FQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Esther is the most visual book of the Hebrew Bible and was largely crafted in the Fourth Century BCE by an author who was clearly au fait with the rarefied world of the Achaemenid court. It therefore provides an unusual melange of information which can enlighten scholars of Ancient Iranian Studies whilst offering Biblical scholars access into the Persian world from which the text emerged. In this book, Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones unlocks the text of Esther by reading it against the rich iconographic world of ancient Persia and of the Near East. Ancient Persia and the Book of Esther is a cultural and iconographic exploration of an important, but often undervalued, biblical book, and Llewellyn-Jones presents the book of Esther as a rich source for the study of life and thought in the Persian Empire. The author reveals answers to important questions, such as the role of the King’s courtiers in influencing policy, the way concubines at court were recruited, the structure of the harem in shifting the power of royal women, the function of feasting and drinking in the articulation of courtly power, and the meaning of gift-giving and patronage at the Achaemenid court.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    282 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    I.B. Tauris
  4. Publication date
    April 6, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6.14 x 0.83 x 9.21 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1788317378
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1788317375
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Biblical scholars know that the Persian context is relevant and significant for understanding the rich narrative of Esther, but most are not trained in the art and archaeology of the Achaemenid world. Llewellyn-Jones, who is so well at home in the Persian cultural context, makes a major contribution to scholarship on Esther, and to the Persian period in biblical studies more generally, with this book. This is indispensable for anyone working on Esther.” ―Aaron Koller, Yeshiva University, USA

“In this accessible and well-illustrated volume, Llewellyn-Jones explores and unpacks the distinctively Persian setting of the Esther narrative. With a particular focus on the early chapters, he provides a detailed cultural and iconographic companion to the biblical book of Esther, one which helpfully illuminates for historians and biblical scholars alike the broader Achaemenid context of the narrative.” ―Matthew A. Collins, Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism, University of Chester, UK

“Lloyd Llewellyn Jones uses his profound knowledge of ancient Persian culture to shine new light on the book of Esther, highlighting the rich iconography of the Persian court that flavours the Judaeo-Christian text, and setting the Biblical story within the context of the region to provide deeper understanding of this fascinating book.” ―Lisa Maurice, Bar-Ilan University, Israel

About the Author

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is Professor of Ancient History in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff University, where he is also the Director of Civic Mission and Innovation. His publications include the books, Aphrodite's Tortoise: the Veiled Woman of Ancient Greece, Ctesias' History of Persia: Tales of the Orient and King and Court in Ancient Persia. He has worked with the BBC, Channel 4 and the History Channel as an historical advisor.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ I.B. Tauris (April 6, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 282 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1788317378
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1788317375
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 0.83 x 9.21 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is Professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University. He specializes in Achaemenid Persia and in Greek socio-cultural history, and in the reception of antiquity in popular culture. He is the general editor of Edinburgh Studies in Ancient Persia for Edinburgh University Press and co- general editor of Screening Antiquity, also for EUP. Born in South Wales and educated in Hull and Cardiff, Lloyd travels extensively throughout the Middle East, especially Iran, often leading cultural tours, and has acted as historical consultant for major Hollywood movies and for television documentaries. He loves theatre and opera.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
7 global ratings
What an ego…
2 Stars
What an ego…
A really fascinating topic that is completely dampened by the writer’s ego. What he “thinks” and surmises is quite a stretch. He doesn’t really provide citation as to why he comes to these conclusions. Looking forward to scholarship without so much certainty and ego attached.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top review from the United States

Svenskskazie
2.0 out of 5 stars What an ego…
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023
A really fascinating topic that is completely dampened by the writer’s ego. What he “thinks” and surmises is quite a stretch. He doesn’t really provide citation as to why he comes to these conclusions. Looking forward to scholarship without so much certainty and ego attached.
Customer image
Svenskskazie
2.0 out of 5 stars What an ego…
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023
A really fascinating topic that is completely dampened by the writer’s ego. What he “thinks” and surmises is quite a stretch. He doesn’t really provide citation as to why he comes to these conclusions. Looking forward to scholarship without so much certainty and ego attached.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report