The Hebrews remained in Judah. Their aristocracy was taken toBabylon to rule local peoples, and a new aristocracy was brought into rule Judah. There were three waves of these relocations - 597BCE, 587 BCE and 582 BCE.When Persia took over Babylon they allowed the Jews there toreturn to try to reclaim their old lands. Half decided to remain inBabylonia as they had become well and prosperously establishedthere. The half who began to return to Judea from 538 BCE onwardshad mixed fortunes - many could not prove their claims to land,others were successful. The return took place in a series of wavesuntil 520 BCE.