Historical Dictionary of the Kurds

CHALDEANS

Chaldeans: translation

The Chaldeans areChristianswhom theFrenchconverted to Catholicism beginning in the 16th century. They suffered greatly in World War I, and their numbers have been further reduced due to emigration. Along with theAssyrians, they remain part of the small Christian minority in northernIraq, where they interact with the Kurds. After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the Christians again suffered greatly in the ensuing civil war. In general, the Assyrian community prefers to view itself as an ethnically distinct people descended from the ancient Assyrian Empire, while the Chaldeans have identified more with their Christianreligiousbeliefs.

  1. chaldeans—CHALDEANS translation Semiticspeaking tribal peoples in southern Mesopotamia. The name comes from the Babylonian term for their region mat kaldu. Together with Aramean tr...Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia