'Cyrus the Great'

Cyrus the Great was the first king and founder of the Achaemenid Empire, also known as the Medo-Persian Empire. He became the most powerful ruler in the world after conquering the Neo-Babylonian Empire in the sixth century BC. After defeating Babylon, he ended the exile of many peoples who had been taken captive by the Babylonians and allowed them to return to their homelands. This included the Jewish people, who had been held in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. They were permitted to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple. This decree by Cyrus is recorded in several passages of the Jewish Scriptures, and it is also documented in other historical sources. What are some sources outside the Bible that record Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon and his decree allowing the Jews to return home? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #373.