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Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah: Persian Period and Restoration

  1. Lesson One
    Diaspora Stories (Esther 1–7)
    16 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Overview of Esther (Esther 8–10)
    14 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    The Character of Esther (Esther Review)
    14 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Ezra
    15 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Nehemiah
    17 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Cyrus the Great, king of the Persian Empire, issued the decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. He came to the Persian throne in 559 BC reigning until 530 BC. This famous artifact, the Cyrus Cylinder, recounts Cyrus’ sacking of Babylon and his invitation for exiles to return to their homelands.

This is Cyrus’ tomb. Cyrus was remembered fondly by certain traditions in the Old Testament. Most notably, he is called an anointed (messiah) of the Lord in Isaiah 45:1.

Darius I became king of Persia in 522 BC. He is specifically mentioned in Haggai and Zechariah. Darius is remembered for his reorganization of the Persian Empire. This panel of sphinxes was originally in the palace of Darius I in Susa. 

This wall decoration portraying Persian soldiers was in Darius’s palace in Susa. Darius engaged in campaigns to gain control over new lands and squash internal rebellions. Darius I reigned until 486 BC and significantly expanded the empire.

A Persian hybrid of man and bull. Such images of composite creatures were a staple across the ancient Near East. This was taken from a column that lined the halls of the palace of Xerxes I. Xerxes ruled from 486–465 BC, saw Persia reach its territorial apex, and was likely the king in the book of Esther.

Artaxerxes (464–423 BC) was the final Persian king referenced in the Old Testament (Ezra and Nehemiah). During his reign, Greece and Egypt began to put pressure on the Persian Empire. This small vessel is inscribed in four languages and references Artaxerxes.