 According to , the Samaritans sought to "frustrate their purpose" and sent messengers to Ecbatana and Susa, with the result that the work was suspended.Seven years later, Cyrus the Great, who allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple, died () and was succeeded by his son Cambyses.On his death, the "false Smerdis", an impostor, occupied the throne for some seven or eight months, and then Darius became king (522 BCE).