Chaldea

Chaldea was located in the southern part of Babylonia, which corresponds to modern southern Iraq and Kuwait. In the 11th–9th centuries BC, the nomadic “Chaldeans” roaming Mesopotamia migrated into this region, followed successively by many other ethnic groups. From 780 to 748 BC, the Chaldeans seized the Babylonian throne from Assyrian vassals, but were quickly suppressed. After the Assyrian king Sargon II ascended the throne, he was forced to wage war against Urartu and Media in the east. Seizing this opportunity, Egypt in the south encouraged Philistia and Judah to rebel against Assyria. Supported by “Elam” in ancient southern Iran, the Chaldean “Merodach-Baladan” also briefly seized the Babylonian throne again (721–710 BC). In 626 BC, the Chaldean Nabopolassar (reigned 626–605 BC) established the Neo-Babylonian Empire (626–539 BC) in Babylon. Therefore, the Bible frequently uses “Chaldea” to refer to “Babylon”.

Around 900 BC: The Chaldeans became southern tribes of Babylonia.

780–748 BC: The Chaldeans briefly seized the Babylonian throne but were suppressed by Assyria.

722 BC: The Assyrian king Sargon II (reigned 722–705 BC) ascended the throne.

721–710 BC: Merodach-Baladan seized Babylon (with Elamite support) and ruled Babylon for about 12 years. 

710 BC: Sargon II personally led his army south to launch a massive offensive against Babylon. Merodach-Baladan was defeated and fled to the southern marshes, later escaping to Elam. Sargon II entered Babylon and ruled the city as the King of Babylon.

626 BC: Nabopolassar established the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

605 BC: Nebuchadnezzar ascended the throne.

586 BC: Jerusalem was destroyed.