TATTENAI

also called Sisinnes (c. 6th5th century BC), Persian governor of the province west of the Euphrates River (eber nari, beyond the river) during the reign of Darius I (522486 BC). According to the Old Testament Book of Ezra, Tattenai led an investigation into the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem about 519 BC. He sent a report to Darius, who responded with instructions to allow the work to proceed. Tattenai is one of the few Persian officials mentioned in the Old Testament for whom there is independent attestation; he is mentioned in a cuneiform tablet dated 502 BC.