Persian Rule

Persian Rule refers to the period when the Persian Empire controlled the region of Judea, following the Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people in the 6th century BCE. The Persian king Cyrus the Great allowed Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This era is marked by relative freedom and responsibility for the Jewish community, enabling them to practice their religion and restore their society. The Persians implemented a system of governors, promoting local governance while ensuring loyalty to the empire, significantly influencing Jewish religious and cultural developments during and after this period.