Cyrus king of Persia is mentioned in verse one and a number of other times throughout the book. Cyrus defeated the Babylonian empire in 539 and established the Persian empire in its place. His new policies called for the release of Israel back to its land. Other later Persian kings mentioned in the book are Darius, Xerxes (son of Darius), and Artaxerxes.
Zerubbabel, who led the first group of people back to the land, was the grandson of king Jehoiachin of Judah before the fall of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel became governor of Judah and led the people in rebuilding the temple.
Ezra was a teacher and priest among the exiled Jews in Babylon. He returned to the land to carry out the task of returning the people to an obedience to the law of God. He taught the people God's laws and they turned to God again with new joy.
Although the story line takes place in Jerusalem, the kings of Persia play a significant role. The Persian empire covered a great territory ranging from Greece to India and from Egypt to the Black Sea.
