Second Temple - One of the first tasks of the Jews returning from exile was to re-build the temple in Jerusalem.

 

"Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel.  They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, 'For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.'  And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.  Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy..."  (Ezra 3:10-12, NASB)

 

The foundation was laid in about 536 B.C. and the temple was completed around 516.

 

"Then Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues carried out the decree with all diligence, just as King Darius had sent.  And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.  And they finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.  The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.  And the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy." (Ezra 6:13-16, NASB)