538 BCE – 70 CE

The Second Temple Period

Return under Persia, Hellenistic rule, the Maccabean revolt, Roman annexation and the destruction of the temple.

Persia

Alexander and successors

Hasmoneans

Rome

What we can and cannot say

1
Return and rebuilding
Cyrus permits return; the second temple is completed c. 515 BCE.
Attested by external evidence
2
Hellenism
Greek language and culture reshape Judean life; the Septuagint is produced.
Attested by external evidence
3
Sects and scrolls
Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes; the Dead Sea Scrolls come from this world.
Attested by external evidence
4
70 CE
Rome destroys the temple, ending sacrificial worship.
Attested by external evidence

See the whole span on the timeline.