70:6.5

And when men could not honor them in presence because they lived far off, imagining the likeness from afar, they made a visible image of the king whom they honored, that by their zeal they might flatter the absent as if present.

So Arkesaeus, Sarsathaeus, and Malisear, the princes of the Persians and Medes, who were near the king, who sat chief in rank by the king, drew near to him, and reported to him according to the laws what it was proper to do to queen Vashti, because she had not done the things commanded by the king through the chamberlains. And Memucan said to the king and to the princes, “Queen Vashti has not wronged the king only, but also all the king’s rulers and princes; for he has told them the words of the queen, and how she disobeyed the king. As she then refused to obey King Ahasuerus, so this day the other wives of the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, having heard what she said to the king, will dare in the same way to dishonor their husbands. If then it seems good to the king, let him make a royal decree, and let it be written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, and let him not alter it: ‘Don’t allow the queen to come in to him any more. Let the king give her royalty to a woman better than she.’ Let the law of the king which he will have made be widely proclaimed in his kingdom. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the poor even to the rich.” This advice pleased the king and the princes; and the king did as Memucan had said, and sent into all his kingdom through the several provinces, according to their language, so that men might be feared in their own houses.

Then the third, who had spoken of women, and of truth, (this was Zorobabel) began to speak: “O sirs, isn’t the king great, and men are many, and isn’t wine strong? Who is it then who rules them, or has the lordship over them? Aren’t they women? Women have given birth to the king and all the people who rule over sea and land. They came from women. Women nourished up those who planted the vineyards, from where the wine comes. Women also make garments for men. These bring glory to men. Without women, men can’t exist. Yes, and if men have gathered together gold and silver and any other beautiful thing, and see a woman who is lovely in appearance and beauty, they let all those things go and gape at her, and with open mouth stare at her. They all have more desire for her than for gold, or silver, or any other beautiful thing. A man leaves his own father who brought him up, leaves his own country, and joins with his wife. With his wife he ends his days, with no thought for his father, mother, or country. By this also you must know that women have dominion over you. Don’t you labor and toil, and bring it all to give to women? Yes, a man takes his sword and goes out to travel, to rob, to steal, and to sail on the sea and on rivers. He sees a lion and walks in the darkness. When he has stolen, plundered, and robbed, he brings it to the woman he loves. Therefore a man loves his wife better than father or mother. Yes, there are many who have lost their minds for women, and become slaves for their sakes. Many also have perished, have stumbled, and sinned, for women. Now don’t you believe me? Isn’t the king great in his power? Don’t all regions fear to touch him? Yet I saw him and Apame the king’s concubine, the daughter of the illustrious Barticus, sitting at the right hand of the king, and taking the crown from the king’s head, and setting it upon her own head. Yes, she struck the king with her left hand. At this, the king gaped and gazed at her with open mouth. If she smiles at him, he laughs. But if she takes any displeasure at him, he flatters her, that she might be reconciled to him again. O sirs, how can it not be that women are strong, seeing they do this?”