Imperial Power of the Persian Period • Persian Empire
The Persians were an ancient Iranian people who rose to power under Cyrus the Great and formed one of the largest empires of the ancient world. After conquering Babylon in 539 BC, the Persian Empire allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Several Persian kings played key roles in the restoration period described in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
Related: Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes, Artaxerxes, Medes, Returnees from Exile
Scripture: Daniel 5:28, Daniel 6:8, Ezra 1:1-4, Esther 1:1-3