1:13 wise men. These “wise men” were probably astrologers, expert practitioners of the ancient pagan art which professed ability to forecast the future by the positions and motions of the stars. It is believed that the great feast described in this chapter was probably in preparation for the projected invasion of Greece. It is noteworthy that the counsel of the supposed wise men who “knew the times” did not warn Ahasuerus (that is, Xerxes) against launching this project which would prove so disastrous for the Persians. They were, however, very positive about advising him to reassert male sovereignty in the home.