Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
Watchtower
ONLINE LIBRARY
English
  • BIBLE
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • MEETINGS
  • it-2 pp. 327-331
  • Medo-Persian Empire

No video available for this selection.

Sorry, there was an error loading the video.

  • Medo-Persian Empire
  • Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2
  • Similar Material
  • Persia, Persians
    Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2
  • Persia, Persians
    Aid to Bible Understanding
  • Part 4—Medo-Persia—The Fourth Great World Power in Bible History
    The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1988
  • Questions From Readers
    The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1959
See More
Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2
it-2 pp. 327-331

FEATURE

Medo-Persian Empire

THE Medes and the Persians are referred to repeatedly in the Scriptures because they pursued a policy of religious toleration that served to fulfill Bible prophecy.

Jehovah had permitted the Jews to be taken into captivity by Babylon, a nation that did not release captive peoples. Yet, God also had foretold Jewish restoration to their homeland. (Jer 27:22; 30:3) Medo-Persia, referred to in the Bible symbolically as a bear (Da 7:5), served Jehovah’s purpose in this regard.

Shortly after Babylon’s fall, Persian King Cyrus decreed that the formerly captive Jews could return to their homeland and rebuild Jehovah’s temple. (Ezr 1:2-4) Darius I later honored this decree. (Ezr 6:1-11) King Ahasuerus (evidently Xerxes I), when properly informed, signed a decree that thwarted a scheme to exterminate the Jews. (Es 7:3–8:14) In 455 B.C.E., King Artaxerxes Longimanus granted permission for Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, thus beginning the prophetic countdown to the appearance of the Messiah.​—Ne 2:3-8; Da 9:25.

PRINCIPAL LOCATIONS

Pasargadae: An early Persian capital

Shushan: Former Elamite capital that became administrative center of the Medo-Persian Empire

Persepolis: A royal city built by Emperors Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes Longimanus

Ecbatana: Summer capital of the empire; it had been the capital of Media

Babylon: A royal city of the empire; because of the torrid summer weather, the city seldom served as more than a winter capital

Gaugamela: Site of the defeat of Persia’s vast army under Darius III by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C.E., thus marking the end of the empire

[Map on page 327]

MAP: Medo-Persian Empire

[Picture on page 328]

Relief work showing Medes (with round hats) and Persians (with fluted hats)

[Picture on page 328]

Modern Hamadan (in Iran), the site of ancient Ecbatana. Here Cyrus the Great had a palace. His policy of religious toleration greatly benefited the Jews

[Picture on page 328]

The Cyrus Cylinder, a nine-inch long (23 cm) clay document that records Cyrus’ capture of Babylon and the liberation of exiles

[Picture on page 328]

Cylinder seal of Darius I and its impression, showing him on a lion hunt and his god Ahura Mazda in the sky above. Darius upheld the Jews in their temple-rebuilding work in Jerusalem

[Picture on page 329]

Ruins from ancient Persepolis. Here Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes Longimanus built palaces

[Picture on page 329]

Ruins from ancient Persepolis. Here Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes Longimanus built palaces

[Picture on page 329]

Ruins from ancient Persepolis. Here Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes Longimanus built palaces

[Picture on page 329]

Ruins from ancient Persepolis. Here Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes Longimanus built palaces

[Picture on page 330]

Excavations of ancient town area in Shushan

[Pictures on page 330]

Decorations typical of those that adorned the palace audience hall at Shushan

[Picture on page 331]

Mordecai and Esther before King Ahasuerus (evidently Xerxes I)

    English Publications (1950-2023)
    Log Out
    Log In
    • English
    • Share
    • Preferences
    • Copyright © 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Settings
    • JW.ORG
    • Log In
    Share