Judaism is among the oldest of the world's monotheistic religions. Its roots lie in the religion of ancient Israel and Judah, but the sixth century BCE is often seen as the period when it took on the form we call Judaism. In 586 BCE the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple and deported many of its leaders. In exile, communities preserved their identity through the collection and editing of the texts that became the Hebrew Bible, which centre on the covenant between God and the people of Israel. After the Persian king Cyrus allowed exiles to return around 538 BCE, the Temple was rebuilt. After the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE, rabbinic Judaism, based on study, prayer and law, became its main form.
Before and after
- 6th century BCEConstruction of Parthenon
- c. 500s BCEOrigins of Delhi
- 6th century BCEConstruction of Royal Road
- 6th century BCEConstruction of Bam Citadel
- 6th century BCEOrigins of Judaism
- from 499 BCE to 493 BCEIonian Revolt
- from 499 BCE to 449 BCEGreco-Persian Wars
- 496 BCEOrigins of Temple of Castor and Pollux
- 496 BCEBirth of Sophocles
More in Art, literature & culture
- c. 3,000 BCECuneiform
- c. 2,100s BCEEpic of Gilgamesh
- c. 1,500 BCEOrigins of Zoroastrianism
- c. 750s BCEThe Homeric epics are composed
- from 448 BCE to 433 BCEConstruction of the Parthenon begins
- 42 CEOrigins of Coptic Orthodox Church
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires.