The Exilarch as Jewish Elite

The exilarch said to Rav Sheshet, “Although you rabbis might be wise, the Persians are more expert than you in matters of table etiquette. When there are two couches, the most important person reclines at the head and the second to him is above him. And when there are three couches, the most important person reclines in the middle, and the second to him is above him, and the third to him is below him.”