1. PERSIAN PERIOD 539-334 BC

2. YHD Coin 333 BC First Coin from Jerusalem Material: Silver Silver: ¼ inch in Diameter

3. I. Synopsis of this Period II. Scriptural synopsis of this Period III. Persia in scripture IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus 1.His own inscription of his deeds (ANET, pg. 308) 2.Was a fanatic of the moon god, Sin. 3.Was despised by the Priests of Marduk and the people of Babylon 4.His last days as King and first days as POW

4. Nabonidus cylinder with prayer for himself and son Belshazzar

5. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great i.Biblical References 1.Daniel 1:21; 6:28; 10:1 2.2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4; 6:3-5 3.Isaiah 41:2-3, 25-26; 45:13; 46:11

6. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great i.Biblical References ii.Controversy over Biblical references to Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) 1.Hard to accept 2.Rabbis of the Talmudic age

7. b.Cyrus the Great i.Biblical References ii.Controversy over Biblical references to Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) iii.Possible solutions to this controversy iv.Extra-Biblical References 1.Cyrus Cylinder:

8. Cyrus Cylinder

9. b.Cyrus the Great i.Biblical References ii.Controversy over Biblical references to Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) iii.Possible solutions to this controversy iv.Extra-Biblical References 1.Cyrus Cylinder: 2.An inscribed brick of Uruk 3.Herodotus: 4.Xenophon, a disciple of Socrates: 5.Aeschylus Greek soldier and playwright: 6.Ctesias, Greek Physician of Artaxerxes II.

10. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great i.Biblical References ii.Controversy over Biblical references to Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) iii.Possible solutions to this controversy iv.Extra-Biblical References v.The Capture of Babylon vi.The Return of the Jews

11. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great c.Cambyses d.Darius I a.Name b.Biblical References c.Extra-Biblical References

12. The Behistun “Place of the God” Darius I 520 BC, Esther 1:21-22

15. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great c.Cambyses d.Darius I a.Name b.Biblical References c.Extra-Biblical References d.Battle of Marathon

19. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great c.Cambyses d.Darius I e.Xerxes

20. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great c.Cambyses d.Darius I e.Xerxes a.Name b.Biblical Refernences c.Extra Biblical References

23. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A. The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. a.Nabonidus b.Cyrus the Great c.Cambyses d.Darius I e.Xerxes a.Name b.Biblical Refernences c.Extra Biblical References d.The Man e.His Campaigns of War

24. THERMOPYLAE “Hot Gates”

26. Goat Pass to Thermopylae

27. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A.The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. B.Jews in Judea in the fourth century. a.Textual Evidence b.Archaeological Evidence

31. IV. Discussion on the Persians and Persian Era: A.The Collapse of Babylon and rise of Persia. B.Jews in Judea in the fourth century. a.Textual Evidence b.Archaeological Evidence c.The return of Exiles to Judah and the Rebuilding of the Temple. d.Symptoms of the disintegration of the Persian empire:

32. THE ELEPHANTINE LETTERS

33. WALL OF NEHEMIAH Escavated by Kathleen Kenyon