Introduction to Ezra

Athens has two years with no archon (ruler), hence the term anarchy. 589

Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire, is born. 581

Aesop, slave of Xanthus of Samos, is credited with collecting and creating fables. They were probably committed to writing at a later time. 570

Nebuchadnezzar II’s successor, Evil-merodach, releases Judah’s King Jehoiachin, who had been a prisoner for 36 years. 561

Battle of Thymbra between Cyrus the Great and Croesus, commander of the Lydian army 546

Daniel interprets the handwriting on the wall for Belshazzar. Cyrus captures Babylon without resistance. 539

Cyrus’s decree allows return of Jews from exile. 538

Events in Ezra 538-457

Second temple construction under Zerubbabel’s and Joshua’s leadership 536-515

Cambyses, son of Cyrus 530-522

Aeschylus, Greek tragedian (525-456) many of whose plays dealt with the Persian invasion of Greece, participated in the Greek victories at Marathon and Salamis.

Darius I or Darius the Great 521-486

Events in Haggai 520

Events in Zechariah 520-518

Second temple dedicated 515

Greeks develop instruments for surveying. 500

Sugar cane cultivated in India 500

Greeks, outnumbered almost five to one, defeat Persians in Battle of Marathon through superior military intelligence and strategy, forestalling Persian expansion into Europe. 490

Events in Esther 486-465

Greek victory over Persians in Battle of Salamis, 480, and Plain of Plataea, 479, thwarted Persian expansion into Europe.

Xerxes I, Ahasuerus, husband of Esther 486-465

Esther’s reign 479-465?

Esther saves the Jews within the Persian Empire. 474?

Ezra goes to Jerusalem. 458

Nehemiah, cupbearer to Artaxerxes, learns of the disrepair of Jerusalem’s walls and leads an effort that restores the walls. 445

Cyrus II

(The Great)

Darius II

Nothus

Artaxerxes II

Mnemon

Darius III

Codomannus