'Among all this multitude of men, there was not one who, for beauty and stature, deserved more than Xerxes himself to wield so vast a power.' ~ Herodotus

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies" -Aristotle

Few true Love Stories in History have determined a People's Destiny, tested Iron Wills or so positively catalyzed a Nation's Identity so as to last centuries and fill in its most glorious chapters as well as inspire artists, poets and writers through the Ages…

What would Egypt be today had Julius Caesar judged Cleopatra's nose as being too short ? As for Poland it would certainly not exist today had Maria Leczinska, better known as Marie Walewska, wife of a Polish nobleman, not seduced Napoleon Bonaparte and convinced the French Emperor to create the vassal kingdom of Warsaw in 1807. Where would Winston Churchill or Charles De Gaulle find the necessary strength and determination to resist Nazi invincibility was it not in the affection and lasting love of their own spouses? It is said that behind every Great Man there is certainly a Great Women so often ignored in the chapters of history. This statement has certainly never been more adequate than when applied to the Biblical Love Story of Persian King Xerxes 1st with the Hebrew Slave Princess Esther turned Queen and providential heroic icon for the Jewish and Persian nations. The Story of Ahasuerus (as Xerxes is known as in the Torah and the Bible) and Esther (known as Hadassah in the Bible) was subject to several Hollywood films. Already back in 1916 British director Maurice Elvey had pondered on the subject in a silent version with Elisabeth Risdon playing Esther. Xerxes was also the subject of an Opera by Handel composed in 1738. A 1978 miniseries entitled The Greatest Heroes of the Bible starred Victoria Principal as Esther, Robert Mandan as Xerxes, and Michael Ansara as Haman. More recently a TV series was produced in 1999 with Thomas Kretschmann in the role of Xerxes and Louise Lombard in that of the Hebrew Princess, which was overall quite accurate in depiction, sets and costumes. It is however the Technicolor version of Esther and the King directed by Hollywood veteran Raoul Walsh and Italian Mario Bava that is best remembered starring the glamorous Joan Collins and strong jawed Richard Egan in the title roles. Interestingly Hollywood may well discover a new and interesting version of this legendary tale thanks to a script written by a beautiful American actor/writer of Iraqi heritage: Ren A. Hakim. All the more interesting is that Hakim's script is titled Xerxes and tries to take a look at this story from the perspective of the King whose reign saw the expansion of the Persian Empire to its pinnacle and during which the Palace of Persepolis was to be completed as an architectural Imperial legacy for future generations before its fatal destruction and burning centuries later by Alexander the Great …

I had the privilege to speak to her on this ambitious project that she hopes to bring to the Big Screen with a cast that would include both Iranian and Hollywood actors. It is all the more remarkable that this screenplay was written by an Iraqi lady fascinated by Persian Culture and History all the more that the Persian Empire and particularly its architectural legacy as we see it today at Persepolis or Pasargardae, was greatly influenced by Babylonian and Assyrian craftsmanship and style. Both Iran and Iraq were part of this immense Empire that was ruled upon the ideals of its founding father Cyrus the Great whose famous cylinder remains to this day as the first known Declaration of Human Rights in the History of Mankind, a replica of which, stands in the entrance hall of the United Nations headquarters in NY. To maintain this ideal was not an easy task in an Ancient World that was not yet introduced to the ideals of Democracy (other than in the shape of an imperfect oligarchic Athenian model). The American or the French Revolution were yet to come and shape the governments and institutions of most democratic states as we know them today. The terms Empire or Kingship were not so negatively associated to the totalitarian or dictatorial regimes that devastated the 20th century and continue to shed a bad light on many Third World country regimes of this millennium. Iraq's former Saddam Hussein, the disastrous American Debacle in Iraq and to a lesser degree in Afghanistan or Iran's clerical theocracy and its henchmen are sad reminders of tyrannical statesmanship's or Imperialistic policies that have proved so destructive to the spirit of the Founding Fathers and Founding Mother's of a region once known as A Cradle of Civilizations…

The Love Story of Xerxes and Esther is all the more remarkable in the light of historical knowledge that it was also to resist to outside pressures be them court intrigues and religious prejudice. If Paparazzi's and People Magazines had existed in Ancient Times, Esther would most probably have been the Lady Diana of her times and sadly enough the love story would have had a more tragic end with far more destructive consequences. Fortunately this story has a happy ending that would most probably be regarded by some snobbish French film critics (sic) of Les Cahiers du Cinéma as too "Hollywoodien" were it not true. For in this case Reality indeed surpasses Fiction …

So let's try and take a closer look at this story and the reason's that motivated its author in writing her interesting version.

Darius Kadivar (DK): Could you tell us more about yourself, your background and why you were particularly interested in this very ancient love story ?

Ren A. Hakim (RAH): Where to start...Well, I was born and raised in Michigan. I'm half Iraqi (ethnic Assyrian, Chaldean sect), and my mom's heritage is Anglo-Saxon. I feel very blessed to be part of a multi-cultural family. It's definitely influenced the way I view the world, both in general and in the political arena. It also sparked my fascination with ancient history, in every regard, from conception to art. While some girls thought of Cinderella as the epitome of a fairytale princess, for me, it was the tale-teller herself, Scheherazade.

Many years ago, I remember telling my mother that I wanted to write a story set in the ancient Middle East, but it was only after reading the works of Herodotus that I found my star -- Xerxes. You see, it wasn't the romance between he and Esther, which pulled me in, but rather, Xerxes himself. He has been, and continues to be, egregiously misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture. He was not a tyrannical villain, seeking to enslave the world. Like today, the ancient world had its share of propaganda, and remember the old saying: history is written by the victors.

If one really did their research, they would realize that Xerxes was the heir to an empire which was founded upon the creed of 'good thoughts, good words, good deeds'...a son, desperate to follow his father's and grandfather's footsteps... a man, who recognized that, like all men, he would not be defined by status, but by the fruit of his works. Unlike larger than life figures, Cyrus and Darius, the title 'the Great' is not often tacked on to his name, but, like so many of us, he aspired to be. That is what makes him so identifiable, his story so compelling: it's our own...in more ways than one.

DK: What were your sources in writing this screenplay? How much of this Love Story as we know it today is authentic and recorded in History books?

RAH: When one writes a story based in history, there is already an expectation of the final product being as authentic as possible. I did a great deal of research, spending countless hours reading the works of Herodotus, Ctesias, Aeschylus, Plutarch, Thucydides, Justin, Diodorus, and Xenophon, among others, and seeing where they corroborated one another. I also used actual palace inscriptions and, in doing so, was able to not only create a character profile of just who Xerxes was, but those who most greatly influenced his life, friend and foe alike. It was truly a painstaking process. Again, I wanted everything to be as true to life as possible.

There were a few, really minor changes (for example, a cousin being instead referred to as a friend, or one character being a composite of a couple of people) so as to make the story more palatable for a contemporary audience. Of course, scenes and plot devices had to be written to maintain continuity, as no one was there to document every little thing that happened from point A to point B, but I think I accomplished a work that is both entertaining, as well as educational. In fact, there is only one part, which takes place during Thermopylae, that is a blatant "Hollywoodism", and even that was done intentionally to symbolize the struggle between two kingdoms.

The most difficult part of writing this screenplay, however, was when Esther enters the picture. For example, the Bible tells us why she was introduced to Xerxes, but what actually occurred during that first meeting? What words were spoken? We're left to wonder, and I found it profoundly difficult to make up my own dialogue when dealing with something so sacred. I recently saw another film about Esther, and was dismayed by how the writer added so many unnecessary factors to the story, like a would-be boyfriend, and diverted from the Biblical account. There were many, many historical inaccuracies regarding the Persians too, but that wasn't surprising.

This sad trend is being continued in a new Spartan-centric film about the Battle of Thermopylae ( Warner Bros 300 ), which is factually flawed to the point of being downright offensive. The movie's logline claims it retells the account of how three-hundred Spartan soldiers drew the line in the sand, defending democracy against Xerxes' million-man army. The numbers are laughable and the premise of the story is backwards. It implies that Xerxes was attempting to enslave Greece under Persian tyranny. Wrong. The war was initially sparked by what was viewed by the Persians as an unprovoked attack against the empire, perpetrated by the Athenians. Furthermore, according to Herodotus himself, the Persians supported democracies in the northern Hellas, while the Spartans imposed oligarchies.

In fact, I believe, had Greece allied itself with Persia, democracy might have flourished faster, because the grueling Pelopponesian War, fought between Sparta and Athens, would have been averted. Sadly, it wasn't. The Spartans prevailed, overthrew the 'democratic' Athenian leadership and replaced it with...that's right...an oligarchic regime.

Though I don't believe the creators of the aforementioned film intended this, it screams, 'Hey, look! Not only are the Middle Easterners out to get us now -- they've always been after the West!'

It is promoting disinformation, which may very well fuel further racism, especially in light of the current state of world affairs...and for what? Entertainment?

DK: Could you shortly outline the plot and the major protagonists?

RAH: Why certainly! Xerxes is just that -- an account of Xerxes' life, from his rise to power, to the second Greco-Persian war, courtly intrigues, his union with Esther, his death...and beyond. Along the way, we're introduced to a slew of famous and infamous characters. Interestingly, with the exception of Haman, none of them are clearly the 'bad guy'. These were real people, motivated by real beliefs and whether their actions were right or wrong, everyone felt they were justified. Those that stand out to me as being the central figures to this tale are Mardonius, supreme commander of the Persian army, and the real architect behind the war; Artabanus, Xerxes' Uncle and prime minister, who was helpless to stop the military juggernaut; and the man who was truly Xerxes' greatest Greek adversary: Themistocles of Athens.

DK: As you mentioned this true tale has was already brought to screen several times. The One, Swords and Sandals film buffs remember most, is Raoul Walsh's Esther and the King with Joan Collins and Richard Egan in the title Roles. How does your screenplay differ from this Technicolor version?

RAH: The most obvious difference is that this version is not Esther-centric. In fact, she doesn't really factor into the story till over halfway in. Apart from that, Walsh's picture is yet another example of disregard for historical authenticity. As you may recall, in his film, the Greek threat is that 'upstart Alexander', who we all know wouldn't even be born for another hundred years!

Another key difference between my version and those preceding it, is that I took a different approach to a major element in the story: the timeline. Here's what I mean: We know that Xerxes was married to Amestris, referred to as Vashti (which we may accept as an epithet) in the Bible. The Book of Esther opens with Xerxes holding a lavish, six month party to show the wealth of his empire in preparation for war. Following her refusal to join him at a --different-- gathering, Amestris is deposed, and that is what necessitates the search for a new queen, wherein Esther enters the picture. The problem has been that this conflicts with Herodotus, who still names Amestris as Xerxes' wife when he returns from Greece years later.

So...how did I reconcile this without disregarding either source? Interpretation -- Again, the Biblical account begins with Xerxes' party for the princes and military officials, which lasts for one-hundred-and- eighty days. It then goes on to say, 'when these days were over,' before painting a picture of the party Amestris refuses to attend. Most people take that line literally, assuming that the next party was immediately proceeding this extravagant display of power, probably because the six month figure is so specific. I, however, interpreted it as -- when these days of WAR were over. By doing so, every piece of the puzzle fits perfectly.

DK: How is Esther introduced to the Persian King? Is it love at first sight for both of them?

RAH: As the Bible explains, after Amestris/Vashti is deposed as queen, a search for a new one is begun. Girls across the empire are brought to the Persian capital of Susa, where they go through purification rites, a process that takes up to twelve months to complete. The candidates then wait for their night to be brought before the king. It was in this manner that Esther was introduced to Xerxes. Again, we don't know what took place after she entered the king's chamber, but we do know that, whatever transpired, he loved her more than any of the others.

Was it love at first sight? I would say, yes, but the real question is--were either one cognizant of it? Remember, he was dealing with many terrible issues, and she was a young girl keeping a pretty major secret. I think Xerxes was in a very troubled place at the time and Esther was like the lone star in the darkest night sky.

By Darius Kadivar
www.persianmirror.com

Darius Kadivar is a Freelance Journalist, Film Historian, Writer, Media Consultant and contributes from Paris, France.