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Description |
<p>Col. 1:</p>
<p>Top margin: A city-scape, represented by a crowded group of buildings and towers, is depicted in the top margin with the Hebrew inscription, שושן, Shushan. The buildings have pointed roofs, wide arches and many windows and the towers are surmounted by spires. To the right of the city, above the margin on the right, is a scene of stags and birds among trees.</p>
<p>The margin to the right of the text column contains four scenes within rectangular panels set one above the other.</p>
<p>The upper panel contains a crowded cityscape with buildings and towers, representing the land of Persia. The buildings have pointed roofs, wide arches and many windows. The towers are surmounted by tall spires and a flag flies from one of them. The Hebrew word,,פרס "Persia", is inscribed twice above the scene.</p>
<p>The panel, second from the top in the margin on the right, contains a scene of Ahasuerus sitting on an ornate throne. He is crowned and bearded and holds a scepter. A Hebrew inscription is written above the scene on the right, as follows: אחשורוש יושב על כסא מלכותו, Ahasuerus seated on the throne of his kingdom" (Es. 1:2).</p>
<p>The second panel from the bottom, in the right margin, contains a city- scape which represents the land of Media. The city is crowded with buildings and towers. The buildings have pointed roofs, wide arches and many windows and the towers are surmounted by tall spires. A Hebrew inscription is written above the scene as follows, מדי, "Media".</p>
<p>The bottom panel in the margin to the right of the text column contains a scene of Ahasuerus sitting on a throne at the head of a laid table. He wears a soft, pointed cap and lifts a goblet. Three more figures sit around the table. The figure on the left raises a goblet towards the king and the figure on the right holds a cup and faces a servant who approaches from the right with a tray of food. A dog stands at the feet the servant. Dishes and goblets are arranged on the table and a pot containing three vessels rests on the floor by the table. A Hebrew inscription is written above the scene on the right as follows, ויעש המלך משתה, "and the king made a feast" (Es. 1:5).</p>
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<div>The bottom margin contains a scene of Vashti sitting on a throne on the left at the head of a long laid table. She holds a cup in her left hand and a flask in her right. Ten women sit around the table, holding cups and spoons. One of the women sits before the table playing with a dog. Another dog jumps up on the right.Dishes and goblets are arranged on the table. A maidservant stands on the right holding a ladle in one hand and resting her other hand on a vessel. Another vessel stands on the ground to her left.</div>
<div>A Hebrew inscription is written above the scene on the left,גם ושתי המלכה עשתה משתה נשים "Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women" (Es.</div>
<div>1:9).</div>
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