The Kings of Persia

in the period covered by the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

Cyrus (559-530 BC) [Foretold by Isaiah]
Cyrus reigned in the latter part of Daniel’s life. During Cyrus’s rule, Zerubbabel led the exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the altar and temple foundations (Ezra 3:2-3,10).

Cambyses (530-522 BC) [Not mentioned in the Bible]
No rebuilding work was able to be done in this period (Ezra 4:25).

Darius (522-486 BC) [Not the earlier Darius the Mede]
In the reign of Darius, the temple was rebuilt. Haggai and Zechariah were prophets.

Xerxes (486-465 BC) [Also known as Ahasuerus]
This was the time of Esther and Mordecai.

Artaxerxes (464-423 BC) [Also known as Longimanus]
More return and rebuilding led by Ezra, and Nehemiah. This was the time of Malachi the prophet.