Question

whom did the persain empire allow to rule the Jews 1. the religious council 2. political parties 3. the high priest

Answer 1

In 539 BCE, Babylon fell to the Persians. (This event is dated securely from non-biblical sources). According to the Bible, in his first year (i.e., in 538 BCE) Cyrus the Great decreed that the deportees in Babylon could return to Yehud and rebuild the Temple.