Darius I (522-486 B.C.) was the 3rd ruler of the Persian Empire. He confirmed the edict of Cyrus regarding the return of the Jews after the Babylonian captivity. Darius authorized and paid for the construction of the Second Temple (see Ezra 4-6), completed in 515 B.C. after 6 years of construction. He even forced neighboring districts to stop their opposition to the Jews.

Haggai, Zechariah, Governor Zerubbabel, and High Priest Joshua lived at the same time.

This Persian silver coin, showing Darius shooting a bow, was issued about 500 B.C., about 50 years after silver coins were invented.
[SG 3428]

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