The Second Temple was a significant religious structure in ancient Jerusalem, built around 516 BCE after the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile. It replaced the First Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The Second Temple served as the center of Jewish worship and was expanded by King Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE, becoming a grand architectural marvel. The Second Temple stood until 70 CE when it was destroyed by the Romans during the Jewish-Roman War. Its destruction marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history, leading to the development of new forms of worship and community life, as the focus shifted from temple rituals to synagogue practices.