The Chaldeans had already invented a judicial astrology, which was transmitted to the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The science of astronomy was known to them, and of it there are records as early as 2234 B.C. The science of arithmetic was used by them—in all probability invented by them; concerning it we have nothing recorded. The kingdom of Babylon existed 2245 B.C. An art of architecture of some kind was already in use among its people, as we see from the fact that they had built important structures. We have no records as to the proficiency they had arrived at in any other branch of science or art. That the art of writing was known to them is probable, otherwise they could not have recorded certain facts about astronomy. The credit of first using hieroglyphics, 2212 B.C., is given to Athates, or Hermes, the Egyptian.
The correct division of the days of the week, the months, and the seasons may probably have been known to them, though the Jews take the credit.
That these Chaldeans were great observers will not be disputed—otherwise they could not have discovered the fixed stars, planetary system, etc. That they must have had considerable intellectual qualities—perceptive powers and skill in reasoning—developed will be admitted, inasmuch as they were the inventors of astrology, and of what more we have no knowledge.
They were great admirers of nature. We may infer that from the fact that they were students of astronomy, acute and close observers of nature.
What myths or fables they had, we have at the present time no idea. We have no historical knowledge of these people. We know very little of their manners, culture, science, arts, degree of civilization.
Other events occurred about that period. A Phœnician colony under Partholani landed in Ireland 2048 B.C.
In 2207 B.C. the government of China was established—it had an imperial dynasty. Fohi was the Chinese monarch.
In 2089 B.C. Sicyon was king of Greece.
In 2188 B.C. Egypt was established.
In 2085 B.C. Egypt was conquered by the shepherd kings of Phœnicia.