Sîn City: Notes on the Moon God of Ḫarrān/Carrhae in the Partho-Roman Period

Today the city of Ḫarrān/Carrhae is mainly known for famous battle, in which Roman general Crassus was defeated by a Parthian army 53 BCE. However, Ḫarrān also one most important religious centres North Mesopotamia. Since Bronze Age, moon god Sîn popular wider region, and it well that late Assyrian Baby- lonian kings supported cult rebuilt temple Sîn. Archaeological evidence written sources attest to great popularity at time. Much less about development subsequent periods, but assembled this paper in- dicates continued thrive. An so far largely ignored source study are coins, were minted second third century CE. They suggest some distinctive features Iron Age still existed period. Most regard predominance aniconic symbolism. A standard, crescent on globe with tassels mounted pole, be main representation god. In addition, two versions an anthropomorphic image can traced coinage Ḫarrān. The first shows him as enthroned mature man. It based model Zeus, his attributes iden- tify version portrays youthful, beardless Late antique frequently mention people remained attached pagan religion, veracity these accounts must questioned. reassessment literary archaeological suggests survival hyperbolic exacer ated negative sentiments towards among writer from neighbouring Edessa.