"Incorporating the latest archaeological information from Iran, the author paints an incisive portrait of Persia's role in Old Testament history. He analyzes the peoples who constituted the old Persian confederation as well as the important cities (e.g. Susa, Pasargadae, Persepolis) and kings (e.g. Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes) who played a dominant role in the Achaemenian era"--Jacket.