The End of History and the Last King: Achaemenid Ideology and Community Identity in Ezra-Nehemiah - Paperback

by David Janzen (Author)

This book examines community identity in the post-exilic temple community in Ezra-Nehemiah, and explores the possible influences that the Achaemenids, the ruling Persian dynasty, might have had on its construction. In the book, David Janzen reads Ezra-Nehemiah in dialogue with the Achaemenids' Old Persian inscriptions, as well as with other media the dynasty used, such as reliefs, seals, coins, architecture, and imperial parks. In addition, he discusses the cultural and religious background of Achaemenid thought, especially its intersections with Zoroastrian beliefs.

Author Biography

David Janzen is Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Durham University, UK.