according to the law rather, according to the direction given by the king for the occasion. The words which follow suggest that ordinarily hard drinking was enforced. Drunkenness was common among the Persians. [59]

[59] See the description of a drunken company put by Xenophon (Cyropaedia, i. 3. 12) into the mouth of Cyrus, who describes the spectacle presented by Astyages himself and his friends on the occasion of the king's birthday feast. See also Additional Note III, in the first extract from the Jewish commentary called Targum Shçnî.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising