Portal:Archaeology/Selected article/archive

The Second Temple of Jerusalem was the main structure of religious worship in ancient Israel. Built upon the site of the First, or Solomon's Temple, the Second Temple was in actuality two separate buildings: the temple built by Zerubbabel from 538 to 516 B.C. after the return of the Jewish exiles from the Babylonian Captivity; and a complete rebuilding of the structure on a grand scale begun by King Herod from 20 B.C. to 64 A.D. Both buildings are considered one temple, as the religious functions did not cease during Herod’s reconstruction.