Ahasuerus
    There are three kings designated by this name in Scripture. (1.)
    The father of Darius the Mede, mentioned in Dan. 9:1. This was
    probably the Cyaxares I. known by this name in profane history,
    the king of Media and the conqueror of Nineveh.

      (2.) The king mentioned in Ezra 4:6, probably the Cambyses of
    profane history, the son and successor of Cyrus (B.C. 529).

      (3.) The son of Darius Hystaspes, the king named in the Book
    of Esther. He ruled over the kingdoms of Persia, Media, and
    Babylonia, "from India to Ethiopia." This was in all probability
    the Xerxes of profane history, who succeeded his father Darius
    (B.C. 485). In the LXX. version of the Book of Esther the name
    Artaxerxes occurs for Ahasuerus. He reigned for twenty-one years
    (B.C. 486-465). He invaded Greece with an army, it is said, of
    more than 2,000,000 soldiers, only 5,000 of whom returned with
    him. Leonidas, with his famous 300, arrested his progress at the
    Pass of Thermopylae, and then he was defeated disastrously by
    Themistocles at Salamis. It was after his return from this
    invasion that Esther was chosen as his queen.



 Ahasuerus, prince; head; chief