The events which the book of Esther narrate to us, take place between the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra, that is to say, between the reign of Darius (the son of Hystaspis) and the reign of Artaxerxes (surnamed "Longimanus"). The gap which separates these two reigns if filled by the reign of Ahasuerus (otherwise known as Xerxes. 485-465 B. C.), the son of Darius and the father of Artaxerxes. Thus, the events recorded in this inspired account take place under Ahasuerus (Xerxes).