John Gill Commentary Esther 10:1

"And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea." — Esther 10:1 (ASV)

And the King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and upon the isles of the sea . Which include all his dominions, both on the continent, and on the sea, the Aegean sea; though Aben Ezra thinks it regards such as were not under his government, but stood in fear of him, of whom he demanded tribute. If Ahasuerus was Xerxes, perhaps his exchequer might be drained by his wars with the Grecians, which put him upon this; though some understand this of his renewing the taxes and tribute, which he remitted upon his marriage with Esther, (Esther 2:18) .