who began to rebuild the temple in the book of ezra
Second Temple The Second Temple was originally a rather modest structure constructed by a number of Jewish exile groups returning to the Levant from Babylon. However, during the reign of Herod the Great, the Second Temple was completely refurbished, and the original structure was totally overhauled into the large and magnificent edifices and facades that are more recognizable. Much like the First Temple, the Second Temple was destroyed alongside Jerusalem in 70 CE by the Romans, in retaliation to an ongoing Jewish revolt.