From the return of the exiles, B. C. 536, to the final destruction of the Jew'ish state by the Ro'mans, A. D. 70, the history of the chosen people is closely interwoven with that of the East in general. During most of this time Ju-de'a was a subject province, belonging to the great empires which rose and fell in succession. For a brief but brilliant period it was an independent state, with its own rulers. As most of this period comes between the Old and New Testaments its events are less familiar to Bible readers than the other portions of Is'ra-el-ite history. We therefore give more space than usual to the facts, selecting only the most important, and omitting all that have no direct relation with the development of the divine plan in the Jewish people. I. The history divides itself into =Four Periods=, as follows: 1. =The Per'sian period=, B. C. 536 to 330, from Cy'rus to Al-ex-an'der, while the Jew'ish province was a part of the Per'sian empire. Very few events of these two centuries have been recorded, but it appears to have been a period of quiet prosperity and growth. The Jews were governed by their high priests under the general control of the Per'sian government. The principal events of this period were: 1.) _The second temple_, B. C. 535-515. This was begun soon after the return from exile (Ezra 3. 1, 2, 8), but was not completed until twenty-one years afterward (Ezra 6. 15, 16). It was smaller and less splendid than that of Sol'o-mon, but was built upon the same plan. 2.) _Ez'ra's reformation_, B. C. 450. The coming to Je-ru'sa-lem of Ez'ra the scribe was a great event in Is'ra-el-ite history; for, aided by Ne-he-mi'ah, he led in a great reformation of the people. He found them neglecting their law and following foreign customs. He awakened an enthusiasm for the Mo-sa'ic law, aroused the patriotism of the people, and renewed the ancient faith. His work gave him the title of "the second founder of Is'ra-el." 3.) _The separation of the Sa-mar'i-tans_, B. C. 409. (For the origin of the Sa-mar'i-tans see 2 Kings 17. 22-34.) They were a mingled people, both in race and religion; but until the captivity were permitted to worship in the temple at Je-ru'sa-lem. After the return from Bab'y-lon the Sa-mar'i-tans and the Jews grew farther and farther apart. The Sa-mar'i-tans opposed the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 4. 9-24), and delayed it for many years; and a century later strove to prevent Ne-he-mi'ah from building the wall of Je-ru'sa-lem (Neh. 4. 2). Finally they established a rival temple on Mount Ger'i-zim, and thenceforth the two races were in bitter enmity (John 4. 9).