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Under the rule of the Assyrians from Mesopotamia (present day Iraq), which began in the 8th century BCE,
the Kingdom of Judah became a part of the inter-regional trade system
in the Middle East and experienced economic, cultural and political prosperity.
After the Babylonians conquered the Assyrian Empire, Judah came under their rule.
The attempts by the kings of Judah to rebel against the Babylonians ended in the destruction of the kingdom (586 BCE).
Following the conquest of Babylonia by King Cyrus of Persia,
the exiles from Judah were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (538 BCE).
In 332 BCE, the Land of Israel was conquered by Alexander the Great and came under hellenist rule.
The Jews did however enjoy freedom of religion and flourished culturally.
