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Ancient artworks from the heyday of Babylonia's imperial glory were treated with near-religious reverence and were painstakingly preserved. For example, when a statue of Chaldean [[Sargon of Akkad|Sargon the Great]] was found during construction work, a temple was built for it—and it was given offerings. The story is told of how Chaldean King [[Nebuchadnezzar]], in his efforts to restore the Temple at [[Sippar]], had to make repeated excavations until he found the foundation deposit of [[Naram-Sen of Akkad|Naram-Suen]], the discovery of which then allowed him to rebuild the temple properly. Neo-Babylonians Chaldeans also revived the ancient [[Akkadian Empire|Sargonid]] practice of appointing a royal daughter to serve as priestess of the [[moon-god]] [[Sin (mythology)|Sin]].

We are much better informed about Mesopotamian culture and economic life under the Neo-Babylonians Chaldeans than we are about the structure and mechanics of imperial administration. It is clear that for southern Mesopotamia the Neo-Babylonian Chaldean period was a renaissance. Large tracts of land were opened to cultivation. Peace and imperial power made resources available to expand the irrigation systems and to build an extensive canal system. The Babylonian countryside was dominated by large estates, which were given to government officials as a form of pay. These estates were usually managed through local entrepreneurs, who took a cut of the profits. Rural folk were bound to these estates, providing both labor and rents to their landowners.

By 572 Nebuchadnezzar was in full control of all of Mesopotamia, Babylonia Chaldea, Phoenicia, Israel, Philistinia, northern Arabia, and parts of Asia Minor. Nebuchadnezzar fought the Pharaohs [[Psammetichus II]] and [[Apries]] throughout his reign, and in 568 BC during the reign of Pharaoh [[Amasis II|Amasis]], invaded Egypt itself.<ref>"Nebuchadnezzar." ''Encyclopedia of World Biography''. 2004. Encyclopedia.com.</ref>

===Amel-Marduk 562 BC – 560 BC===