What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore how 1 Esdras represents Persian power and kingship through its narrative and speeches.

March 30, 2026Open Access

Imaginations of Persian Power and Kingship in 1 Esdras

Key Points

The aim is to explore how 1 Esdras represents Persian power and kingship through its narrative and speeches.
Evaluate the court presentation in 1 Esdras for Hellenistic and Persian influences.
Analyze speeches by the bodyguards regarding wine and the king.
Contextualize these speeches within the broader themes of imperial power and Judean perspectives.
Identified significant Hellenistic elements within the court presentation.
Speeches reflect complexities and ambiguities of power and kingship.
Demonstrated varied Judean attitudes towards Persian rule.

Abstract

In this paper, the Story of the Three Bodyguards in 1 Esdras 3–4 is related to Persian royal power and rule as imagined in this Hellenistic-period rewriting. First, the presentation of the court is evaluated regarding Hellenistic and Persian elements. The speeches by the first two bodyguards on wine and the king are then read in the context of the book. All three speeches are shown as reflecting the complexities and ambiguities of imperial power and kingship and Judean positions towards it.

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Authors

Maximilian Häberlein

University of Würzburg

Journals

Journal of Hebrew Scriptures

SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología

Actions

Institutions

University of Würzburg

References and Citations

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Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Imaginations of Persian Power and Kingship in 1 Esdras

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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