== History ==
{{Main|History of the Assyrian Chaldean people}}{{History of Assyrian Chaldean people}}
=== Pre-Christian history ===
{{Main|AssyriaChaldea|Arameans}}
=== Arab conquest ===
The Chaldeans initially experienced some periods of religious and cultural freedom interspersed with periods of severe religious and ethnic persecution after Arab Islamic invasion and conquest of the 7th century AD. As heirs to ancient Mesopotamian civilisation, they also contributed hugely to the Arab Islamic Civilization during the [[Ummayad Caliphate|Umayyads]] and the [[Abbasids]] by translating works of [[Greek philosophers]] to Syriac and afterwards to [[Arabic language|Arabic]]. They also excelled in [[philosophy]], [[science]] and [[theology]] (such as [[Tatian]], [[Bar Daisan]], [[Babai the Great]], [[Nestorius]], [[Toma bar Yacoub]] etc.) and the personal [[physicians]] of the Abbasid Caliphs were often Chaldean [[Christians]] such as the long serving [[Bukhtishu]] dynasty.<ref>Rémi Brague, [https://web.archive.org/web/20130927015958/http://www.christiansofiraq.com/assyriancontributionstotheislamiccivilization.htm Assyrians Contributions To The Islamic Civilization]. (Archived: 27 September 2013)</ref>
However, despite this, indigenous Chaldeans became second class citizens in a greater Arab Islamic state, and those who resisted Arabisation Arabization and conversion to Islam were subject to severe religious, ethnic and cultural discrimination, and had certain restrictions imposed upon them.<ref>Clinton Bennett (2005). ''Muslims and Modernity: An Introduction to the Issues and Debates''. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 163. ISBN 0-8264-5481-X. Retrieved 2012-07-07</ref> Chaldeans were excluded from specific duties and occupations reserved for Muslims, they did not enjoy the same political rights as Muslims, their word was not equal to that of a Muslim in legal and civil matters, as Christians they were subject to payment of a special tax (jizyah), they were banned from spreading their religion further or building new churches in Muslim ruled lands, but were also expected to adhere to the same laws of property, contract and obligation as the Muslim Arabs.<ref>H. Patrick Glenn, ''Legal Traditions of the World''. Oxford University Press, 2007, p. 219.</ref>
As non-Islamic [[proselytising]] was punishable by death under [[Sharia]] law, the Chaldeans were forced into preaching in [[Transoxania]], [[Central Asia]], [[India]], [[Mongolia]] and [[China]] where they established numerous churches. The [[Church of the East]] was considered to be one of the major Christian powerhouses in the world, alongside Latin Christianity in Europe and the [[Byzantine Empire]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Winkler|first=Dietmar|title=Hidden Treasures And Intercultural Encounters: Studies On East Syriac Christianity In China And Central Asia|year=2009|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=7f9gS40A_3IC&pg=PA321}}</ref>