Explore Persia on the Map

Persia (modern Iran) was a major empire that conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. King Cyrus issued the decree permitting the temple's reconstruction. The books of Esther and Daniel are set partly in the Persian court. Nehemiah served as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes before returning to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

Associated characters:

CyrusPersian king called God's 'anointed' who freed the Jews and decreed the temple's rebuilding

DanielJewish prophet who served in the Babylonian and Persian courts, interpreting dreams and visions

EstherJewish queen of Persia who saved her people from destruction

MordecaiEsther's cousin who uncovered a plot against the king and opposed Haman

XerxesPersian king (Ahasuerus) who made Esther queen and honored Mordecai

EzraPriest and scribe who led exiles back to Jerusalem and restored Torah observance

NehemiahPersian king's cupbearer who rebuilt Jerusalem's walls

ZerubbabelGovernor of Judah who led the first return and supervised temple reconstruction