2 At that time, Artaxerxes ruled the kingdom from his royal throne in the city of Susa.
3 In the third year of his rule he hosted a feast for all his officials and those from other nations. The leaders of Persia and Media attended, along with his provincial dignitaries and officials.
4 He showed off the awesome riches and beautiful treasures of his kingdom as a reflection of how great he was. The event lasted a long time—six whole months, to be exact!
5 When the days of the wedding feast were over, the king held a six-day wine festival for everyone who remained in the city. They all met in the walled garden of the royal palace.
6 White linen and cotton curtains hung from shining white and red-purple ropes tied to gold and silver rings and marble posts. Gold and silver couches sat on a mosaic floor made of emerald, marble, and mother-of-pearl.
7 The cups were made of gold and silver. There was a miniature cup made of ruby, worth 1,710,000 pounds of silver. The king made sure there was plenty of the best wine, which he himself also drank.
8 The wine festival had no established rules, so the king ordered everyone serving wine in the palace to offer as much as each guest wanted.