Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Diogenes the Cynic · 01-06-2005, 07:03 AM

Cyrus ended the captivity. Darius I was Cyrus' son. Darius III was the one who was defeated by Alexander.

Clivedurdle · 01-06-2005, 07:04 AM

Is there a reasonably clear timeline available anywhere that looks at Biblical "events" in their context of what was going on in the rest of the world then, and draws conclusions about any possible relationships?

Alf · 01-06-2005, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

Is there a reasonably clear timeline available anywhere that looks at Biblical "events" in their context of what was going on in the rest of the world then, and draws conclusions about any possible relationships?

A very good question.

I don't know much about this but I have heard that abnout the time just after the 10 plagues of egypt was the time when Egypt entered one of its better periods with wealth and prosperity for the nation.

Since it is unreasonable to think that a nation so severly broken down by 10 plauges could do that it is highly unlikely that those 10 plauges ever took place. They are not referenced anywhere in egyptian historical records. Granted, egyptian historical records tended to show a biased view - even defeats or draws were pictured as great victories

but still, they should at least have mentioned them in some way - even if turned around as glorification of the pharaoah.

In short, the bible - both OT and NT - appear to be works of pure fiction and very little is actually historically correct.

Alf

Benni72 · 01-07-2005, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

Cyrus ended the captivity. Darius I was Cyrus' son. Darius III was the one who was defeated by Alexander.

What are your sources for Darius being Cyrus' son? Both Herodotus and the Behistun inscription say that he was sired by Hystaspes (Vistaspa), Cyrus' cousin and general. Darius seized the power from the usurper Gaumata after the death of Cambyses II, an actual son of Cyrus.

Diogenes the Cynic · 01-07-2005, 07:42 AM

My mistake. Bad memory.

dongiovanni1976x · 01-09-2005, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

Can anyone help here? I thought Alexander defeated Darius, so why did Darius allow the return from captivity? Wasn't it Alexander who allowed this major change point in Jewish history?

Alexander III defeated Darius III.

Cyrus released the Jews from captivity, and issued the decree to return and build the Temple (according to the book of Ezra). (My mistake; I was writing from memory of Ezra 6 "I, Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed." (Ezra 6:12) which was when Darius provided funds to continue the work on the Temple which had ceased...my appologies)

"But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon [the same] king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God." Ezra 5:13

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01-06-2005, 07:03 AM	#11
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	Cyrus ended the captivity. Darius I was Cyrus' son. Darius III was the one who was defeated by Alexander.

01-06-2005, 07:04 AM	#12
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	Is there a reasonably clear timeline available anywhere that looks at Biblical "events" in their context of what was going on in the rest of the world then, and draws conclusions about any possible relationships?

01-07-2005, 07:42 AM	#15
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	My mistake. Bad memory.

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