CHALDEA

Chaldea’s historic origin began when they migrated to Southern Babylon around 855 BCE, but were conquered by the Assyrians. They earned a reputation as history’s biggest opportunists and most brilliant diplomats by taking advantage of every distraction in the Assyrian Empire to form alliances and take control of the empire. In 539 BCE, the kingdom was destroyed when the Babylonian Empire [i] was conquered by the Persian army. While the name "Chaldean" lost its meaning [ii] in reference to a particular ethnicity or language, it lingered for a while as a term used to describe a societal class of astronomers in southern Mesopotamia.

The Assyrian Empire was Chaldea’s biggest rival, often conquering and reconquering Chaldea. Chaldeans awaited periods when Assyrian kings were distracted or engaged in internal conflicts to seize the opportunity to take control of the empire. The Elamites [iii] were powerful allies of these ancient people. Marduk-apla-iddina II of Bit-Yakin [iv] allied himself with the powerful Elamite Kingdom and seized control of the Assyrian Empire from 721 BCE to 710 BCE. In 694 BCE, Chaldeans once again joined forces with the Elamites and challenged Assyrian domination by murdering the king of Babylon, Ashur-nadin-shumi. Other enemies included the Persian Empire, which eventually conquered the kingdom.

Chaldeans made major contributions in writing, science, and astrology. The invention of hemispherium and hemicyclium [v], which are both sundials, are attributed to Berosus, a Chaldean prince. Chaldeans created the modern time system [vi] with 60 seconds and 60 minutes, and were the first to have a 7 day week. The Chaldeans also invented writing systems [vii], which were used to consistently document their trade transactions. Their knowledge and understanding of astronomy gave them the ability to predict movements of heavenly bodies and is described by some as the first scientific revolution. This knowledge of astronomy [viii] also informed zodiac signs that we have today.

Chaldea’s ruling system was an absolute monarchy [ix], as is evidenced in the history of their kings. The annals of Shalmanesar III reveal that the Chaldeans were organized into several tribes which developed into independent states that became tributary vessels to the king of Babylon. The most prominent Chaldean king was Nebuchadnezzar II, who began his rule in 604 BCE. He rebuilt all cities in Babylon and had a Mesopotamian pyramid constructed at the center of Babylon called “Ziggurat” [x]. He is also known for conquering Jerusalem and Judah. Chaldean kings wielded immense power when enthroned, as demonstrated by the civilization’s many wars.

Chaldea’s contributions to modern invention make them an important part of history. The very first historical mention [xi] of the existence of the Chaldea occurs in the annals of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III in 852 BCE, who mentions conquering Baqani, a Chaldean tribe. The constant fight for domination between the Elamites, Assyrians, and Chaldeans led to different wars. Yet the Chaldeans’ knowledge of astronomy and involvement in trade made them key contributors to history. In modern times, Chaldeans are a religious minority in Iraq. Most have left Iraq and are dispersed in many countries including the United States, and European nations.

The Chaldean legacy has greatly contributed to the modern era. “Hammurabi, a Chaldean ancestor, created one of the first legal codes in the world” [xii]. Chaldea’s prominent kings contributed to civilization as a whole. The great king Nebuchadnezzar II extended the empire [xiii]. to Syria, Judah, and Jerusalem. He rebuilt the Babylonian city, which featured a 6th century gate decorated with blue glazed brick that is dedicated to the goddess Ishtar [xiv]. This gate is now a centrepiece at Berlin’s Pergamon Museum. The Chaldeans also made major contributions with their novel writing system and documenting their trade practices, which is still widely done today.

Mesopotamia was one of the most fertile regions in the world, so farming was a major part of the economy of Chaldea. The farmers irrigated their crops and had an abundance of food to trade. Chaldea was situated at the center of major crossroads, making it possible for the people to be involved in major trading. They relied on the barter system [xv] by trading timber, wine, and precious stones. They traded on foot, often crossing the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Business contracts were often sealed with a cylinder wheel. This contributed to the expansion of the empire and their trade domination.