Final answer:
The Neo-Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Persians led by Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE, which resulted in the end of the Babylonian Captivity for the Jews. Jews were allowed to return to Judah to rebuild their temple and restore their community, marking the beginning of the Jewish diaspora for those who chose to stay in Babylon and other regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who Conquered the Babylonians and the Impact on the Jews
The Neo-Babylonians, under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar II, had originally conquered Judah, which led to a significant number of Jews being deported and enslaved in Babylon, an event known as the Babylonian Captivity. However, the Neo-Babylonian Empire eventually fell to the Persians, specifically under the leadership of Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE. Cyrus's conquest of Babylon was notably peaceful and resulted in a major policy shift regarding the treatment of conquered peoples.
Cyrus the Great's actions post-conquest led to an era of restoration and religious freedom for various ethnic groups, including the Jews. Under his rule, the Persian Empire allowed deported communities to return to their ancestral homelands. This edict had a profound effect on the Jewish population, as they were permitted to leave Babylon and return to Judah, starting the process of rebuilding their temple in Jerusalem and restoring their cultural and religious practices. In addition to this, many Jews chose to remain in Babylon and other parts of the Persian Empire, thus beginning a wider Jewish diaspora - a scattering of the Jewish people across different lands while still united by a common culture and religion.