Cyrus Cylinder

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        New Bible Dictionary p 286- Cyrus's own inscriptions back up the OT view as a sympathetic 
        leader.  The 
      
      
        <b>CYRUS CYLINDER </b>
      
      
        , he said he "gathered all the inhabitants (who were exiles) and returned them to their 
        homes".  In the same decree he restores deities to their temples.  Since the jews had no 
        images, they were allowed to rebuild their temple and its fittings.
      
    </p>