Artaxerxes I

Artaxerxes I reigns forty years — an age without great conquests, but with firm administration from Egypt to the Indus. Peace is made with Athens, a revolt in Egypt is put down, and the satraps at times prove more dangerous than foreign enemies. To his reign Jewish tradition assigns the coming of Ezra to Jerusalem with a royal warrant, and the appointment of Nechemya as governor of Judea with the right to rebuild the city walls. For Persian power this was ordinary policy: local shrines and laws were given support, and in return the crown received a quiet province that paid its tribute.