Nehemiah Xerxes Darius I
The above bas-relief from Persepolis (Ancient Persia) shows Darius I, the Great who is seated. He is followed by his son, the Crown Prince, Xerxes. Xerxes is depicted in the same size and with his head at the same level as his father's. This indicates not only that Xerxes was the heir apparent, but also co-ruler with his father, Darius.
Immediately behind Xerxes is Nehemiah; here seen as the Chief Cupbearer, a position of highest rank with a function similar to that of "Prime Minister."
The nationality of each royal and staff member can be determined by their distinctive attire. Those with the fluted caps are Persian (Xerxes, Darius). Those with the rounded caps and pants are Medes (guard, official). The Chief Cupbearer, Nehemiah's distinctive hooded head covering identifies him as being neither Mede nor Persian, but Jewish. He holds in his hand a cup towel, depicting his "badge of office" as Chief Cupbearer.
Beards: Also note that Nehemiah's beardless face is covered indicating that he is a eunuch. Though a well-groomed beard was a matter of great pride among the Persians, only the kings were allowed to grow the long, luxuriant beards as seen on Darius and Xerxes.
Nehemiah was promoted to the position of Chief Cupbearer-Prime Minister during the rule of Darius-Xerxes, but first came to the Persian Court under Cyrus (Xerxes' grandfather via Atossa) under the title of the Tirshatha (functioning as the King's Secretary and Representative to the Jewish nation), when the Jews first returned from Babylon after their seventy years of captivity. (Nehemiah 1:11;7:65,8:9) Since Nehemiah was a eunuch, he also had access to Princess (and later, queen-mother) Atossa who was about the same age as Nehemiah. The profound influence of both Atossa and Nehemiah over the Persian Court during the reign of Xerxes (after Darius died) is legendary. (Nehemiah 1:6)
Bible Trivia Note: Nehemiah's position as Cupbearer-Prime
Minister under Darius-Xerxes would be the third instance where
a Jew held the highest possible royal court position under the king
while the Jews were under foreign rule. The first two instances
were that of Joseph in Egypt, and Daniel in Babylon.
--Photo Courtesy of Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.
