Who Was Hasach?

The Megilla relates that Queen Esther used a messenger to go in between herself and Mordechai. This was done so as not to arouse suspicion and to not reveal her nationality. The messenger that was used name was Hasach. But who was Hasach? The gemara in megilla (15a) states that Hasach was Daniel. Why was he referred to as Hasach? The gemara answers that he was cut down (nechtach) from the greatness of his position, which he had held during the reigns of Balshazzar, Darius and Cyrus. Another interpretation says that Daniel and Haman have the same numerical value and therefore Daniel preferred to be known as Hasach.

When Haman saw Hasach going to speak to Mordechai, he killed him fearing that the two were plotting against him.

Another reason for the name change is brought down in the midrash, was that he castrated himself (chatach) in the days of the wicked Nevuchadnezer, together with Mishael, Chanania, and Azaria.