NORTHERN CARIBBEAN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF RELIGION AND THEOLOGY

RESEARCH PAPER ON THE CHALDEANS

Presented in Partial Fulfilment of the Course

RELB201: Daniel
Presented to:

Damian Skeen, B.Sc.

By:
Rhondene Wint
Due Date: November 27, 2013

*Kate Turabian Style reference and footnotes

I. Seleucus
A. Background History
B. Region of occupation
C. Golden Time and Time of Decline
D. Legacy
II. Ptolemy
A. Background History
B. Region of occupation
C. Golden Time and Time of Decline
D. Legacy
III. Lysimachus
A. Background History
B. Region of occupation
C. Golden Time and Time of Decline
D. Legacy
IV. Cassander
A. Background History
B. Region of occupation
C. Golden Time and Time of Decline
D. Legacy

Chapter eight of the book of Daniel records the vision of a male goat, with a prominent
horn between its eyes, that emerged from the West spanning the whole globe. The vision
continues with the male goat confronting and trampling a ram with two horns that came from the
east. Majority of Biblical scholars agree that the vision of the male goat represents Alexander the
Great and the characteristics of his empire [REF]. Of course, this means that the Book of Daniel
is the earliest documentation about Alexander and his generals because Daniel chapter eight was
written centuries before they existed! In the latter part of the vision, the prominent horn broke,
and four horns emerged in its place. Again the four horns represent the four generals- Cassander,
Lysimachus, Ptolemy and Seleucus - of Alexander the Great that inherited and divided his
empire [REF]. Why did Alexanders generals succeed him? The death of Alexander, at age 33,
was a sudden one, and at the time of his death there was no legitimate heir, his son Alexander IV
by Roxane being born after Alexander's death. According to Greek historian Diodorus,
Alexander passed his signet ring to Perdiccas, a bodyguard and leader of the companion cavalry,
in front of witnesses, thereby nominating him to ascend to the throne.3 Perdiccas initially did not
claim succession; after long held discussions with other commanders, he agreed to co-reign with
Alexander IV and Phillip III, Alexanders half-brother. However, the death of Perdiccas was
followed by 40 years of rivalries and wars among Macedonians until the Hellenistic world settled
into four stable power blocks: the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in the east,
the Kingdom of Pergamon in Asia Minor, and Macedon. In the process, both Alexander IV and
Philip III were assainated.4 This short research paper will explore the historical background,
region of occupation, influence and legacy of Ptolemy, Seleucus, Cassander and Lysimachus.

background of the Chaldeans, their culture, their influence on ancient history, and the Chaldeans
during Daniels time.
The historical background of the Chaldeans dates back as far as