PHilosophy or Learning was not taught and propagated by the Chaldaeans after the Grecian manner, commu∣nicated by publick Professors indifferently to all sorts of Auditors; but restrained to certain Families. These were by a more peculiar compellat on termed Chaldeans; addicted themselves wholly to study; ••ad a proper ha∣bitation allotted for them; and lived exempt from all publick char∣ges and duties.
Of these isa 1.1 Diodorus to be understood; who relates, that Belus instituted Priests exempt from all publick charges and duties, whom the Babylonians call Chaldaeans. Strabo adds, that there was a peculiar habitation in Babylonia allotted for the Philosophers of that Country who were termed Chaldaeans; and that they inhabited a certain Tribe of the Chaldaeans, and a portion of Babylonia, adjoyning to the Ara∣bians and the Persian-Gulf.
There were those Chaldaeans who, asb Cicero saith, were named not from the Art, but Nation. And of whom he is elsewhere to be understood, when he affirms that c in Syria the Chaldaeans excel for knowledge of the Stars, and acuteness of Wit; andd 1.2 Q. Curtius, who describing the solemnity of those who went out of Babylon to meet Alexander, saith, Then went the Magi after their manner; next whom, the Chaldaeans, Non vates modo sed artifices Babyloniorum: Where though some interpret artifices, those Astrologers who made Instruments for the practise of their Art; yet Curtius seems to in∣tend no more then the Chaldaeans of both sorts, the Plebeian Trades∣men, and the Learned.
Of these Chaldaeans peculiarly so termed, ise 1.3 Laertius likewise to be understood, when he cites as Authors of Philosophy amongst the Persians the Magi, amongst the Babylonians or Assyrians the Chal∣daeans. And Hesychius, who interprets the word Chaldaeans, a kind of Magi that know all things.