The persecutions of the Jews by the Persians in the 5th century led to a temporary closure of the institute,
which was later reopened, then closed again. The Babylonian Talmudic schools enjoyed a period of tranquility in the 7th century, under the caliph 'Ali. At that time the heads of the schools assumed the title of "gaons." For three centuries the two schools of Sura and P. coexisted.
The academy of Sura was closed after the death of Sa'adhjah (948), while that of P. lasted another century. Among the last leaders of P. were Šerîrah (968-98) and his son Haj (998-1038). After the latter's death, the academy of P. was also closed.
Bibl.: S. Funk, Die Juden in Babylonien, I-II, Berlin 1902-1908; J. Obermeyer, Die Landschaft Babylonien, Frankfurt 1929; S. Dubnow, Geschichte des jüdischen Volkes, Berlin 1926, III, V. indice.