User talk:Malone

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[edit] Entry about Esther - what is the basis for selecting 454 BC for this event?

How was it determined that this entry should go into this particular year??

According to Wikipedia, Astyages, the great King of Persia, ruled between 585 BC and 550 BC. The entry on the Book of Esther in Wikipedia says that she was the queen-consort of either Xerxes I (ruled 486 BC - 465 BC) or possibly Artaxerxes II (ruled 405 BC - 359 BC). So using Wikipedia, it seems unlikely that this event occurred in 454 BC. Clarification of the basis for the year timing of this entry (not the entry itself) would be appreciated. --Chaleyer61 10:40, 25 October 2006 (UTC)

The matter of the identity and dating of the Persian Kings is very complex. The conclusion that Astyages ruled between 585 BC and 550 BC is untenable for numerous reasons: (1) Astyages = Arsames, the brother-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon by way of marriage - sisters - Astyages having married Vashti referenced in the {[Book of Esther]] at age 20, and subsequently replacing her with Esther also named Hadassah less than two years later; [2] Astyages ruled as regent in his brother-in-law's stead, while the latter suffered his 7-years of lycanthropy or whatever other form his punishment took when he arrogated himself beyond prudence; [3] Astyages was the father of Cyrus, who was also the son of Esther, and who, contrary to popular myth, never warred against his father, but served as the CEO King (Xerxes, an appellative) while his father was Chairman King (Artaxerxes, also an appellative) until the latter's death; [4]Astyages = Ahasuerus, an appellative = Darius (another appellative).

Once we get Astyages and Cyrus right, the rest of the line of Persian kings becomes much easier, and the 85 years inserted for no good reason to try to sort it all out disappears.

I know I haven't written a whole lot here, and may have raised more questions than I have answered, but I am extremely busy at this time sorting out various problems in life, and will try my best to get back to this. Obviously, however, if I cannot even made a single small amendment in the year referenced, I will have major difficulties sorting out the many errors in Wikipedia with respect to this topic.

One of the problems with Wikipedia is that there are those with various vested interests - especially contemporary biographical stuff - who sit on their own stories and are busy sticking to it. Not on this subject, but a good case in point is Ali Mazrui who, or whose minions, continually cover-up reportage of his evil doings by editing out the truth.

--Malone 14:50, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Malone -- Thank you for answering the question I put to you. As you will appreciate, trying to accurately date events that happened hundreds of years ago, well before accurate written records were kept, is very difficult. That is why I asked you for an explanation of why you felt the entry for Esther should be placed in the year 454 BC.

Just the record, I have no problem with your entry -- I do not have any particular view of the ideological rights or wrongs of dates in history. I am not a Wikipedia administrator, editor or censor. Rather, my interest is in doing my little bit to improve the accuracy and consistency of the ancient historical dates used in Wikipedia. So, when you do have some time, you are welcome to write some more about your views on this subject. I look forward to learning more about this interesting part of ancient Persian and biblical history. Thanks. --Chaleyer61 10:25, 11 November 2006 (UTC)