The Chaldeans

Toward the end of the 8th century BC a great leader arose from a tribe of the Semitic-speaking peoples near the coast of the Persian Gulf. He was a Chaldean, of the Yakin tribe, named Merodach-baladan II. This Chaldean ruler attempted to seize the Babylonian crown, with the help of the Elamites, and he actually succeeded on two occasions, 721-710 and 703 BC.

Even the Assyrians made attempts to defeat and capture Merodach-baladan II but he outwitted them every time. Sometimes he would withdraw into the marshes of the southern plain, which seemed to be almost impenetrable. It seemed as though the during this time period the political power in Babylonia passed back and forth between the Chaldeans, the Assyrians and Babylonians.