Known as “The King of Kings” in his day, the Persian King Artaxerxes I is an important figure in Jewish history, having approved the return of his cupbearer, Nehemiah, to rebuild the gates and walls of Jerusalem in 444 B.C.

The Most Rev. Michael J. Sis, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, says the Achaemenid Empire was founded in ancient Persia by Cyrus the Great, who reigned from 559 to 530 B.C.

“Cyrus the Great was a bold, visionary empire-builder who was honored and revered across multiple cultures and religions,” Bishop Sis said. “He was famous for religious and cultural tolerance and he allowed the Jews to return from exile and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem in 538 B.C.

“His support of the Jews was likely part of a broad policy to win loyalty through religious freedom an

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