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|conventional_long_name = Chaldean Neo-Babylonian Empire

|p1 = Neo-Assyrian Empire|flag_p1 = Map of Assyria.png

The '''Chaldean Neo-Babylonian Empire''' was a period of [[Mesopotamia]]n history which began in 626 BC and ended in 539 BC.<ref>Talley Ornan, ''The Triumph of the Symbol: Pictorial Representation of Deities in Mesopotamia and the Biblical Image Ban'' (Göttingen: Academic Press Fribourg, 2005), 4 n. 6</ref> During the preceding three centuries, [[Babylonia]] had been ruled by their fellow [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] speakers and northern neighbours, [[Assyria]]. A year after the death of the last strong Assyrian Chaldean ruler, [[Assurbanipal]], in 627 BC, the Assyrian Chaldean empire spiralled into a series of brutal civil wars. Babylonia rebelled under [[Nabopolassar]], a Chaldean member of the [[Chaldea]]n tribe which had migrated from [[The Levant]] to tribes in south eastern Babylonia in the early 9th century BC. In alliance with the [[Medes]], [[Persian people|Persians]], [[Scythians]] and [[Cimmerians]], they sacked the city of [[Nineveh]] in 612 BC, and the seat of empire was transferred to [[Babylon]]ia for the first time since the death of [[Hammurabi]] in the mid 18th century BC. This period witnessed a general improvement in economic life and agricultural production, and a great flourishing of architectural projects, the arts and science.

The Chaldean Neo-Babylonian ruling period ended with the reign of [[Nabonidus]] in 539 BC. To the east, the Persians had been growing in strength, and eventually [[Cyrus the Great]] established his dominion over Babylonof the Chaldeans. Native Chaldean s of Mesopotamia continued preserving the Chaldean civilization until today.

===Historical backgroundRevival of Chaldean Traditions===After Babylonia was subject toregained its independence, and dominated by [Neo-Babylonian [Assyria]Chaldean] during ] rulers were deeply conscious of the antiquity of their [[NeoChaldean]] kingdom, and pursued an arch-Assyrian Empiretraditionalist policy, reviving much of the ancient [[Babylonia|NeoSumero-Assyrian periodAkkadian]] (911-616 BC)culture. Even though [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]] had become the everyday tongue, Akkadian was retained as it had often been during the language of administration and culture. Archaic expressions from 1,500 years earlier were reintroduced in Akkadian inscriptions, along with words in the now-long-unspoken [[Middle Assyrian EmpireSumerian language]] (1365. Neo-Babylonian [[cuneiform script]] was also modified to make it look like the old 3rd-1020 millennium BC). The Assyrians script of [[Upper MesopotamiaAkkadian language|Akkad]] had usually been able to pacify their southern relations, whether through military might, installing puppet kings, or granting increased privileges.

===Revival Ancient artworks from the heyday of old traditions===After Babylonia regained its independence, Neo's imperial glory were treated with near-Babylonian rulers religious reverence and were deeply conscious of the antiquity of their kingdompainstakingly preserved. For example, and pursued an arch-traditionalist policy, reviving much when a statue of the ancient Chaldean [[BabyloniaSargon of Akkad|Sumero-AkkadianSargon the Great]] culturewas found during construction work, a temple was built for it—and it was given offerings. Even though The story is told of how Chaldean King [[Aramaic language|AramaicNebuchadnezzar]] had become the everyday tongue, Akkadian was retained as in his efforts to restore the language of administration and culture. Archaic expressions from 1Temple at [[Sippar]],500 years earlier were reintroduced in Akkadian inscriptions, along with words in had to make repeated excavations until he found the now-long-unspoken foundation deposit of [[Sumerian languageNaram-Sen of Akkad|Naram-Suen]], the discovery of which then allowed him to rebuild the temple properly. Neo-Babylonian Babylonians Chaldeans also revived the ancient [[cuneiform scriptAkkadian Empire|Sargonid]] was also modified practice of appointing a royal daughter to make it look like serve as priestess of the old 3rd[[moon-millennium BC script of god]] [[Akkadian languageSin (mythology)|AkkadSin]].

Ancient artworks from ===Cultural and economic life=== We are much better informed about Mesopotamian culture and economic life under the heyday of Babylonia's imperial glory were treated with nearNeo-religious reverence Babylonians Chaldeans than we are about the structure and were painstakingly preserved. For example, when a statue mechanics of [[Sargon of Akkad|Sargon imperial administration. It is clear that for southern Mesopotamia the Great]] Neo-Babylonian Chaldean period was found during construction work, a temple was built for it—and it was given offeringsrenaissance. The story is told Large tracts of how [[Nebuchadnezzar]], in his efforts land were opened to restore the Temple at [[Sippar]], had cultivation. Peace and imperial power made resources available to make repeated excavations until he found expand the foundation deposit of [[Naram-Sen of Akkad|Naram-Suen]]irrigation systems and to build an extensive canal system. The Babylonian countryside was dominated by large estates, the discovery of which then allowed him were given to rebuild the temple properly. Neo-Babylonians also revived the ancient [[Akkadian Empire|Sargonid]] practice government officials as a form of appointing pay. These estates were usually managed through local entrepreneurs, who took a royal daughter to serve as priestess cut of the [[moon-god]] [[Sin (mythology)|Sin]]profits. Rural folk were bound to these estates, providing both labor and rents to their landowners.

===Cultural and economic life===We are much better informed about Mesopotamian culture and economic life under the Neo-Babylonians than we are about the structure and mechanics of imperial administration. It is clear that for southern Mesopotamia the Neo-Babylonian 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. Urban life flourished under the Neo-Chaldeans Babylonians. Cities had local autonomy and received special privileges from the kings. Centered on their temples; the cities had their own law courts, and cases were often decided in assemblies. Temples dominated urban social structure, just as they did the legal system, and a person's social status and political rights were determined by where they stood in relation to the religious hierarchy. Free laborers like craftsmen enjoyed high status, and a sort of guild system came into existence that gave them collective bargaining power. This period witnessed a general improvement in economic life, agricultural production, and a significant increase in architectural projects, the arts and science.

===Chaldean King Nabopolassar 626 BC – 605 BC===

After the death of Ashurbanipal in 627 BC, the Assyrian Empire Nenivah began to disintegrate, riven by internal strife. [[Ashur-etil-ilani]] co-ruled with Ashurbanipal from 630 BC, while an Assyrian Chaldean governor named [[Kandalanu]] sat on the throne of Babylon on behalf of his king. Babylonia seemed secure until both Ashurbanipal and Kandalanu died in 627 BC, and Assyria spiralled Nenivah spiraled into a series of internal civil wars which would ultimately lead to its destruction.. An Assyrian Chaldean general, [[Sin-shumu-lishir]], revolted in 626 BC and declared himself king of Assyria Chaldea and Babylon, but was promptly ousted by the Assyrian Chaldean Army loyal to king [[Ashur-etil-ilani]] in 625 BC. Babylon was then taken by another son of Ashurbanipal [[Sin-shar-ishkun]], who proclaimed himself king. His rule did not last long however, and the native Chaldean Babylonians revolted with the help of the migrant native Chaldean tribe (Bit Kaldu), led by the previously unknown Chaldean King [[Nabopolassar]], who had made himself king of Chaldea in the far south east of Mesopotamia. Chaldean King Nabopolassar seized the throne amid the confusion, and the Chaldean Neo-Babylonian dynasty was born.

However in 623 BC, Sin-shar-ishkun killed his brother the king, in battle at [[Nippur]] in Babylonia, seized the throne of AssyriaChaldea, and then set about retaking Babylon from Nabopolassar. Nabopolassar was forced to endure Assyrian foreign armies encamped in Babylonia over the next seven years, however he resisted, aided by the continuing civil war in Assyria Chaldea itself which greatly hampered Sin-shar-ishkun's attempts to retake the parts of Babylonia held by Nabopolassar. Nabopolassar took [[Nippur]] in 619 BC, a key centre of ''pro-Assyrianism'' in Babylonia, and by 616 BC, he was still in control of much of southern Mesopotamia. AssyriaNenivah, still riven with internal strife, had by this time lost control of its colonies, who had taken advantage of the various upheavals to free themselves. The empire had stretched from [[Cyprus]] to [[Persia]] and [[The Caucasus]] to [[Egypt]] at its height. Nabopolassar attempted a counterattack, he marched his army into Nenivah proper in 616 BC and tried to besiege [[Assur]] and [[Arrapha]] ([[Kirkuk]]), but was defeated by Sin-shar-ishkun and driven back into Babylonia. A stalemate seemed to have ensued, with Nabopolassar unable to make any inroads into Nenivah despite its greatly weakened state, and Sin-shar-ishkun unable to eject Nabopolassar from Babylon due to the unremitting civil war in Nenivah itself.

Nabopolassar attempted However the balance of power was decisively tipped when [[Cyaxares]], ruler of the [[Iranic]] peoples (the [[Medes]], [[Persian people|Persians]] and [[Parthians]]), and technically a counterattackvassal of Chaldea, he marched his army into Assyria proper attacked a war weary Chaldea without warning in 616 late 615 BC , sacking Arrapha and tried to besiege [[AssurKalhu]] and (the Biblical [[ArraphaCalah]] (/[[KirkukNimrud]]), but was defeated by Sin-shar-ishkun and driven back into Babylonia. A stalemate seemed to have ensuedThen in 614 BC Cyaxares, in alliance with Nabopolassar unable to make any inroads into Assyria despite its greatly weakened statethe [[Scythians]] and [[Cimmerians]], besieged and Sin-shar-ishkun unable to eject took [[Assur]], with Nabopolassar from Babylon due to the unremitting civil war remaining uninvolved in Assyria itselfthese successes.<ref>Georges Roux - Ancient Iraq p.375</ref>

However the balance of power was decisively tipped when [[Cyaxares]], ruler Nabopolassar too then made active alliances with other former subjects of the [[Iranic]] peoples (Chaldea; the [[Medes]], [[Persian people|Persians]] and [[Parthians]]), and technically a vassal of Assyria, attacked a war weary Assyria without warning in late 615 BC, sacking Arrapha and [[Kalhu]] (the Biblical [[Calah]]/[[Nimrud]]). Then in 614 BC Cyaxares, in alliance with the [[Scythians]] and [[Cimmerians]], besieged and took [[Assur]], with Nabopolassar remaining uninvolved in these successes.<ref>Georges Roux - Ancient Iraq p. 375</ref>

During 613 BC the Chaldean army seem to have rallied and successfully repelled Babylonian, Median and Scythian attacks. However in 612 BC Nabopolassar too then made active alliances with other former subjects of Assyria; and the Median king [[MedesCyaxares]]led a concentrated coalition of forces including Babylonians, Chaldeans, Medes, [[Persian people|Persians]], [[Scythians]] and Cimmerians in an attack on [[CimmeriansNineveh]]. The size of the forces ranged against Chaldea in its weakened state proved too much, and after a bitter three-month siege,followed by house to house fighting, Nineveh finally fell, with Sin-shar-ishkun being killed defending his capital.

During 613 BC the Assyrian army seem to have rallied and successfully repelled BabylonianAn Chaldean general, Median and Scythian attacks[[Ashur-uballit II]], became king of Chaldea amid the fighting. However in 612 BC Nabopolassar and According to the Median king [[CyaxaresBabylonian Chronicle]] led a concentrated coalition he was offered the chance to bow in vassalage to the rulers of forces including Babylonians, Chaldeans, Medes, Persiansthe alliance. However he refused, Scythians and Cimmerians in an attack on managed to fight his way free of Nineveh and set up a new capital at [[NinevehHarran]]. The size of the forces ranged against Assyria in its weakened state proved too muchNabopolassar, Cyaxares, and after a bitter threetheir allies, then fought Ashur-month siegeuballit II for a further five years,followed by house until Harran fell in 608 BC; After a failed attempt to house fightingretake the city, Nineveh finally fell, with SinAshur-shar-ishkun being killed defending his capitaluballit II disappeared from the pages of history.

An Assyrian general, The [[Ashur-uballit IIAncient Egypt|Egyptians]], became king of Assyria amid the fighting. According to the under Pharaoh [[Babylonian ChronicleNecho II]] he was offered had invaded the chance to bow near east in vassalage 609 BC in a belated attempt to the help their former Chaldean rulers of . Nabopolassar (with the alliance. However he refused, and managed to fight his way free help of Nineveh his son and set up a new capital at future successor [[HarranNebuchadnezzar II]]) spent the last years of his reign dislodging the Egyptians (who were supported by Greek mercenaries and the remnants of the Chaldean army) from Syria, Asia Minor, northern Arabia and Israel. NabopolassarNebuchadnezzar proved to be a capable and energetic military leader, Cyaxaresand the Egyptians, Chaldeans and their mercenary allies, then fought Ashur-uballit II for a further five years, until Harran fell in 608 BC; After a failed attempt to retake were finally defeated by the cityBabylonians, Ashur-uballit II disappeared from Medes and Scythians at the pages battle of history[[Carchemish]] in 605 BC.

The [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptians]] under Pharaoh [[Necho II]] had invaded the near east Babylonians were now left in 609 BC in a belated attempt to help their former Assyrian rulers. Nabopolassar (with the help possession of his son and future successor [[Nebuchadnezzar II]]) spent the last years much of his reign dislodging Chaldea, with the Egyptians (who were supported northern reaches being held by Greek mercenaries and the remnants of the Assyrian army) from SyriaMedes, Asia Minorhowever they appear to have made no attempt to occupy it, northern Arabia and Israel. Nebuchadnezzar proved preferring to be a capable and energetic military leader, and the Egyptians, Assyrians and their mercenary allies were finally defeated by the Babylonians, Medes and Scythians at the battle of [[Carchemish]] in 605 BCconcentrate on rebuilding southern Mesopotamia.

The Babylonians were now left in possession ===Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar II 605 BC – 562 BC===[[File:Nebukadnessar II.jpg|right|thumb|200px|An engraving on an eye stone of much of Assyria, onyx with an inscription of Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar II]] [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] became Chaldean king after the northern reaches being held by the Medes, however they appear to have made no attempt to occupy it, preferring to concentrate on rebuilding southern Mesopotamiadeath of his father.

===Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar II 605 BC – 562 BC===[[File:Nebukadnessar IIwas a patron of the cities and a spectacular builder.jpg|right|thumb|200px|An engraving He rebuilt all of Babylonia's major cities on an eye stone a lavish scale. His building activity at Babylon of onyx with an inscription Chaldeans was what turned it into the immense and beautiful Chaldean city of Nebuchadnezzar IIlegend. His city of Babylon covered more than three square miles, surrounded by moats and ringed by a double circuit of walls. The [[Euphrates]]flowed through the center of the city, spanned by a beautiful stone bridge. At the center of the city rose the giant [[Nebuchadnezzar IIziggurat]] became king after called [[Etemenanki]], "House of the death Frontier Between Heaven and Earth," which lay next to the [[Marduk|Temple of his fatherMarduk]].

Nebuchadnezzar was a patron of the cities and a spectacular builder. He rebuilt all of Babylonia's major cities on a lavish scale. His building activity at Babylon was what turned it into the immense and beautiful city of legend. His city of Babylon covered more than three square milesA capable Chaldean leader, King Nabuchadnezzar II, surrounded by moats conducted successful military campaigns in Syria and ringed by a double circuit of walls. The [[EuphratesPhoenicia]] flowed through the center of the city, spanned by a beautiful stone bridgeforcing tribute from Damascus, Tyre and Sidon. At He conducted numerous campaigns in Asia Minor, in the center "land of the city rose Hatti". Like the giant [[ziggurat]] called [[Etemenanki]]Chaldeans, "House of the Frontier Between Heaven and Earth," which lay next Babylonians had to the [[Marduk|Temple of Marduk]]campaign yearly in order to control their colonies.

A capable leaderIn 601 BC, Nabuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar II, conducted successful military campaigns was involved in Syria a major battle, against the Egyptians. In 599 BC, he invaded [[Arabia]] and routed the [[PhoeniciaArabs]]at Qedar. In 597 BC, forcing tribute from Damascus, Tyre he invaded [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]] and Sidoncaptured [[Jerusalem]] and deposed its king [[Jehoiachin]]. He conducted numerous campaigns in Asia Minor, in the "land Egyptian and Chaldean Babylonian armies fought each other for control of the Hatti". Like the Assyriansnear east throughout much of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, the Babylonians had and this encouraged king [[Zedekiah]] of Judah to campaign yearly revolt. After an 18-month siege, Jerusalem was captured in order 587 BC, and thousands of Jews were deported to control their coloniesBabylon, and [[Solomon's Temple]] was razed to the ground.

In 601 BC, By 572 Nebuchadnezzar II was involved in a majorfull control of all of Mesopotamia, but inconclusive battleBabylonia Chaldea, against the Egyptians. In 599 BCPhoenicia, he invaded [[Israel, Philistinia, northern Arabia]] , and routed parts of Asia Minor. Nebuchadnezzar fought the Pharaohs [[Arabs]] at Qedar. In 597 BC, he invaded [[Kingdom of Judah|JudahPsammetichus II]] and captured [[JerusalemApries]] and deposed its king [[Jehoiachin]]. Egyptian and Babylonian armies fought each other for control of the near east throughout much of Nebuchadnezzar's his reign, and this encouraged king in 568 BC during the reign of Pharaoh [[ZedekiahAmasis II|Amasis]] of Judah to revolt, invaded Egypt itself. After an 18-month siege, Jerusalem was captured in 587 BC, and thousands <ref>"Nebuchadnezzar." ''Encyclopedia of Jews were deported to Babylon, and [[SolomonWorld Biography's Temple]] was razed to the ground'. 2004. Encyclopedia.com.</ref>

[[Nabonidus]]'s (Nabû-na'id in Babylonian) noble credentials are not clear, although he was not a Chaldean but from [[Assyria]], in the city of Harran. He says himself in his inscriptions that he is of unimportant origins.<ref>M. Heinz and M.H. Feldman (eds.), ''Representations of political power: Case histories from times of change and dissolving order in the ancient Near East'' (Winona Lake IN: Eisenbrauns 2007), 137–66.</ref> Similarly, his mother, Adda-Guppi,<ref>[[Joan Oates]], ''Babylon'', revised ed., Thames & Hudson, 1986, p.132</ref> who lived to high age and may have been connected to the [[temple]] of the [[Akkadian]] moon god [[Sin (mythology)|Sîn]] in [[Harran]]; in her inscriptions does not mention her descent. His father was Nabû-balatsu-iqbi, a commoner.<ref>Georges Roux, ''Ancient Iraq'', 3rd ed., Penguin Books, London, 1991, p.381</ref>

The Medes, Persians and [[Mannaeans]], among others, were [[Indo-European]] peoples who had entered the region now known as Iran c. 1000 BC from the steppes of southern Russia and the Caucasus mountains. For the first three or four hundred years after their arrival they were largely subject to the [[Neo Assyrian Empire]] and paid tribute to Assyrian Chaldean kings. After the death of Ashurbanipal they began to assert themselves, and Media had played a major part in the fall of AssyriaChaldea.

In 539 BC, [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] invaded [[Babylonia]]. Nabonidus sent his son [[Belshazzar]] to head off the huge Persian army, however, already massively outnumbered, Belshazzar was betrayed by [[Gobryas]], Governor of AssyriaChaldea, who switched his forces over to the Persian side. The Babylonian forces were overwhelmed at the battle of [[Opis]]. Nabonidus fled to Borsippa, and on 12 October, after Cyrus' engineers had diverted the waters of the Euphrates, "the soldiers of Cyrus entered Babylon without fighting." [[Belshazzar]] in [[Xenophon]] is reported to have been killed, but his account is not held to be reliable here.<ref>''Harper's Bible Dictionary'', ed. by Achtemeier, etc., Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1985, p.103</ref> [[Nabonidus]] surrendered and was deported. Gutian guards were placed at the gates of the great temple of Bel, where the services continued without interruption. Cyrus did not arrive until the 3 October, Gobryas having acted for him in his absence. Gobryas was now made governor of the province of Babylon.

Babylon, like AssyriaChaldea, became a colony of Achaemenid Persia.

Babylonia remained under the control of the [[Parthian Empire|Parthians]], and later, [[Sassanid Empire|Sassanians]] until about 640 AD, when it was conquered by the [[Islam]]ic [[Rashidun Caliphate]]. It continued to have its own culture and people, who spoke varieties of Aramaic, and who continued to refer to their country as [[Babylon]] (''Babeli'') or [[Uruk|Erech]] (''Iraq''). Some examples of their cultural products are often found in the [[Mandaean]] religion, and the [[Manichaeism|religion]] of the Babylonian prophet [[Mani (prophet)|Mani]]. From the 1st and 2nd centuries AD the Assyrians and Chaldeans Babylonians began to adopt Christianity, and the province Chaldean capital of Babylon became a seat of a Chaldean bishopric of the [[Church of the East]] until the 17th century. Chaldean [[Neo-Aramaic languages|Neo-Aramaic]]-speakers exist today as a small [[Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac people|minority]] only in northern Mesopotamia Iraq , Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon ([[AssyriaChaldea]]). Despite being the minority, the Assyrians Chaldeans remained Christians and many were killed as a result. Arabic language had become been forced on the Babylonian Chaldean native people of Mesopotamia as the main language in Babylonia by the 9th century, when the region Baghdad was the capital of the [[Abbasid Caliphate]]of islam.