or Artaxerxes, the husband of Esther and, according to Archbishop Usher and F. Calmet, the Scripture name for Darius, the son of Hystaspes king of Persia. Scaliger supposed Xerxes to have been the husband of Esther, or the Ahasuerus of Scripture; and Dr Prideaux believes him to be Artaxerxes Longimanus. See History of Persia, and Esther.

AHHAUS, a circle in the department of Munster, and Prussian province of Westphalia, formed out of the old lordships of Bocholt and Horstmar. It is 264 square miles, or 168,960 acres, in extent, comprehending four cities, three market towns, and 11 villages, with 40,069 inhabitants. The soil is moderately fertile, and yields corn, buck-wheat, and flax. It is watered by the Aa, the Berkel, the Bechta, the Dinkel, and several smaller streams. The most valuable products are cattle, and especially sheep. There is some little spinning and weaving of linen; but the higher wages paid in Holland induce the labourers to go to that country, in the seasons of hay and corn harvest, to save the means of subsistence for the winter.—The chief city of the circle, of the same name, is the residence of the Prince of Salim-kyrburg; and contains, besides his castle, 271 houses, and 1658 inhabitants. Long. 7° 4'. 34. E. Lat. 52° 4'. 36. N.