The Book of Esther takes place during the Persian Empire between 483–473 BCE: ->      When it happened: The events in the book of Esther take place during the first half of the reign of King Xerxes, who chose Esther as his queen. -> When it was written: The book was written between 470–424 BCE, during the reign of Xerxes^ son Artaxerxes. -> Where it happened: The story is set in Susa, the capital city of Persia.