Xerxes (Ahasuerus)

The Persian king who ruled from India to Cush and whose lavish reign frames the book of Esther. He deposed Queen Vashti for refusing to appear at his banquet, later chose Esther as queen, and elevated Haman as his chief official — only to reverse Haman's genocidal decree once Esther exposed the plot. He honored Mordecai in Haman's place.