(fl. 5th cent BCE)
Persian palace official at Shushan during the reign of Ahasuerus. His niece Esther was part of the king's harem. Through her Mordecai informed the king of an assassination plot against him. Later, when Mordecai refused to bow to the vizier Haman, the vizier resolved to avenge himself on the Jewish population; his plan was frustrated by Esther; Haman was hanged; and Mordecai assumed Haman's position as chief minister. These events are recorded in the book of Esther.
Dictionary of Jewish Biography. Dan Cohn-Sherbok.