A minor Elamite goddess, Vashti appears in the Hebrew Book of Esther as a queen of the Persians who served also as the state's High Priestess. A diplomat and daughter of a king, Vashti was unfortunately married to fool, who drunkenly demanded that she appear to his friends naked. She refused, saying, "Have you lost your reason from drinking? I am Vashti, daughter of Belshazzar, a son of Nebuchadnezzar who scoffed at kings. Shall you, a fool, be the master of so much beauty as mine?"

A Hebrew advisor, intent on replacing Vashti with a woman of his tribe, urged the king to sentence her to death as a fearful example to other women who insisted on control of their own bodies. The king, proving himself more foolish by the moment, followed the Hebrew's advice. Vashti's people rose against him, and the uprising was only put down when Esther ascended the throne, deposing him.

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