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=== The Hittites ===

=== The Hittites ===

The Hittites were a northern Indo-European people who called themselves “Aryans” (like the Persians)—a term meaning “noble people”.

The Hittites were a northern Indo-European people who called themselves "Aryans", a term meaning "noble people."  Descendants of these Aryans include the Kurds and Persians today.

In1650 B.C., they were able to gain control of most of Mesopotamia largely because of their advanced warfare, including horse-drawn chariots.  Under their rule, life in the Babylonian empire did not flourish artistically or culturally as it did under others’ rule.

In 1650 B.C., the Hittites were able to gain control of most of Mesopotamia largely because of their advanced warfare, including horse-drawn chariots.  Under their rule, life in the Babylonian empire did not flourish artistically or culturally as it did under others' rule.

In the Old Testament, the Hittites are mentioned more than 50 times, and are described as having descended from Noah’s great-grandson Heth (descended from Ham).  Because no trace of this ancient civilization could be found for a long time, skeptics claimed it proved that the Bible was an unreliable source.  However, astounding archeological discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries proved that the Hittites existed and the finds did much to further the credibility of the Bible as a historical record.

In the Old Testament, the Hittites are mentioned more than 50 times, and are described as having descended from Noah's great-grandson Heth (descended from Ham).  Because no trace of this ancient civilization could be found for a long time, skeptics claimed it proved that the Bible was an unreliable source.  But remarkable archeological discoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries proved that the Hittites existed, and these archeological "finds" did much to further the credibility of the Bible as a historical record.

=== Assyria ===

=== Assyria ===

Assyria was a very ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia.  Today that would be in northern Iraq.

Assyria was a very ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia.  Today that would be in northern Iraq.

It was dependent on Babylonia for a while, but rose to become an independent state in the 14th century B.C.  Beginning with the 12th century it declined, only to reemerge as a kingdom again in the 8th century B.C.  Under a sequence of powerful Assyrian kings of Tiglath-pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib and Esarhaddon, Assyria controlled most of the Middle East from Egypt to the Persian Gulf.

It was dependent on Babylonia for a while, but rose to become an independent civilization in the 14th century B.C.  Beginning with the 12th century it declined, only to reemerge as a kingdom again in the 8th century B.C.  Under a sequence of powerful Assyrian kings of Tiglath-pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib and Esarhaddon, Assyria controlled most of the Middle East from Egypt to the Persian Gulf.

The Assyrians were known for their cruelty and military skills, and more than a few references in the Bible lament their treatment of the Hebrews.  The Old Testament mentions “Assyria” 119 times, including this typical verse: “The Lord was with him; wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him.” (2 Kings 18:7 (NRS))

The Assyrians were known for their cruelty and military skills, and more than a few references in the Bible lament their treatment of the Hebrews.  The Old Testament mentions "Assyria" 119 times, including this typical verse: "The Lord was with him; wherever he went, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him."<ref>2 Kings 18:7 (NRSV).</ref>

Ultimately, a Chaldean-Median coalition destroyed the Assyrians in 612-609 B.C.

Ultimately, a Chaldean-Median coalition destroyed the Assyrians in 612-609 B.C.

=== The Chaldeans (also spelled as “Chaldaeans”) ===

=== The Chaldeans (also spelled as "Chaldaeans") ===

The Chaldeans seized the Assyrian capital, Ninevah (from the story of Jonah), in 612 B.C., and destroyed it.  They soon conquered all of Mesopotamia, as well as Judea and Syria.  Although the Chaldeans only remained in power for fifty years, they were responsible for founding what is known as the “Neo-Babylonian empire”.  Elaborate and beautiful palaces and buildings were constructed by the Chaldeans.  The famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were made during Chaldean rule.

The Chaldeans seized the Assyrian capital, Ninevah (from the story of Jonah), in 612 B.C., and destroyed it.  They soon conquered all of Mesopotamia, as well as Judea and Syria.  Although the Chaldeans remained in power for only fifty years, they were responsible for founding what is known as the "Neo-Babylonian empire." Elaborate and beautiful palaces and buildings were constructed by the Chaldeans, including the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon were made during Chaldean rule.

The Chaldeans’ short reign is chronicled in the Biblical story of Daniel.  As a teenager, Daniel was captured by the Chaldean army during its first attack on Jerusalem.  While Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar, one of only a few Chaldean kings, he interpreted dreams, witnessed the miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meschach and Aben-nego in the fiery furnace, and accurately predicted Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall.  Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar, Daniel witnessed the writing on the wall, which he interpreted as a sign of Belshazzar’s imminent downfall.  The very next day, the Persians invaded, killed Belshazzar, and took over the Babylonian empire.  

The Chaldeans' short reign is chronicled in the Biblical story of Daniel.  As a teenager, Daniel was captured by the Chaldean army during its first attack on Jerusalem.  While Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar, one of only a few Chaldean kings, he interpreted dreams, witnessed the miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meschach and Aben-nego in the fiery furnace, and accurately predicted Nebuchadnezza's downfall.  Under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar's son, Belshazzar, Daniel witnessed the writing on the wall, which he interpreted as a sign of Belshazzar's imminent downfall.  The very next day, the Persians invaded, killed Belshazzar, and took over the Babylonian empire.  

=== Persia ===

=== Persia ===