³ The king shall appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, and they shall select beautiful young virgins to be brought to the harem in the city of Susa. Let them be entrusted to the king’s eunuch who is in charge of the women, and let ointments and whatever else they need be given them.^(A)

¹² Now the period after which a young woman was to go to the king was twelve months. During this time the days of cosmetic treatment are completed: six months while they are anointing themselves with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women.