dependence, and the Chaldaeans
for a time made common cause with the Elamites against it. The future,
however, lay with the Chaldaeans, who, like the Kassites, became the
liberators of the ancient inhabitants. When Assyria was finally
extinguished as a world power they revived the ancient glory of
Babylonia, and supplanted the Sumerians as the scholars and teachers
of Western Asia. The Chaldaeans became famous in Syria, and even in
Greece, as "the wise men from the east", and were renowned as
astrologers.

The prestige of the Hebrew kingdom suffered sharp and serious decline
after Solomon's death. Pharaoh Sheshonk fostered the elements of
revolt which ultimately separated Israel from Judah, and, when a
favourable opportunity arose, invaded Palestine and Syria and
reestablished Egypt's suzerainty over part of the area which had been
swayed by Rameses II, replenishing his exhausted treasury with rich
booty and the tribute he imposed. Phoenicia was able, however, to
maintain its independence, but before the Assyrians moved westward
again, Sidon had shaken off the yoke of Tyre and become an independent
State.

It will be seen from the events outlined in this chapter how greatly
the history of the ancient world was affected by the periodic
migrations of pastoral folks from the steppe lands. These human tides
were irresistible. The direction of their flow might be diverted for a
time, but they ultimately overcame every obstacle by sheer persistency
and overpowering volume. Great emperors in Assyria and Egypt
endeavoured to protect their countries from the "Bedouin peril" by
strengthening their frontiers and extending their spheres of
influence, but the dammed-up floods of humanity only gathered strength
in the interval for the struggle which might be postponed but could
not be averted.

These migrations, as has been indicated, were due to natural causes.
They were propelled by climatic changes which caused a shortage of the
food supply, and by the rapid increase of population under peaceful
conditions. Once a migration began to flow, it set in motion many
currents and cross currents, but all these converged towards the
districts which offered the most attractions to mankind. Prosperous
and well-governed States were ever in peril of invasion by barbarous
peoples. The fruits of civilization tempted them; the reward of
conquest was quickly obtained in Babylon and Egypt with their
flourishing farms and prosperous cities. Was