Haran, ancient city, Mesopotamia

Haran or Harran both: häränˈ [key], ancient city of Mesopotamia, now in SE Asian Turkey, 24 mi (39 km) SE of Şanlıurfa. It was an important center on the trade route from Nineveh to Carchemish and the seat of the Assyrian moon god. The Babylonians defeated the Assyrian army at Haran in 609 b.c. Frequently mentioned in the Bible, it was the home of Abraham's family after the migration from Ur. The Greek form of the name is Charan or Charran. In Roman times it was Carrhae.

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