When each girl's turn came to go to King Ahasuerus . . . whatever she asked for would be given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. She would go in the evening and leave in the morning for a second harem in charge of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, guardian of the concubines. She would not go again to the king unless the king wanted her, when she would be summoned by name. When the turn came for Esther . . . to go to the king, she did not ask for anyting but what Hegai, . . . advised. Yet Esther won the admiration of all who saw her. Esther 2:12-15. The Writings--Kethubim: A new translation of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text, Third Section, The Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, 1982. Crayon on textured cardstock; edited on IrfanView including solarize effect.
So, can you see the difference in Esther now that she's had the 12-month beauty treatment? What did the virgins bring with them from the harem to the king's palace? What did Hegai give Esther to take with her? Was this the last time she saw him?
To see how Persian royalty, noblemen, soldiers, and commoners dressed, check out The History of Costume: Plate 2B, Plate 2C, and Plate 3D. The costumes of Jews in "Ancient Judah" are illustrated in Plates Plate 4A and Plate 4B -- but it's not clear to me if that is how a Jew would dress in Persia.
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