Fall of Harran

The Fall of Harran refers to the Babylonian siege and capture of the Assyrian city of Harran in 608 BC.

Background
The Assyrians, from the year 639 BCE, had been suffering from a decline in their power, culminating in Neo-Babylonian and Median invasions of their lands. The city of Arrapha fell in 615 BCE, followed by Assur in 614 BCE, and finally the famed Nineveh, the newest capital of Assyria, in 612 BCE. Despite the brutal massacres that followed, the Assyrians survived as a political entity and escaped to Harran under their new king, Ashur-uballit II. Establishing Harran as a capital for the Assyrians caught the attention of the Babylonian King Nabopolassar and Median King Cyaxares, who were determined to destroy forever the threat of Assyrian resurgence.

Siege
Assyrian annals record no more after 610 BC - the presumed date of the siege. The siege lasted for another two years before the city finally fell in 608 BC. Not much is known of the siege - it is presumed that Nabopolassar killed Ashur-uballit II.

Aftermath
Despite yet another reverse, the Assyrians did not give up; remnants of the Assyrian army met up with the Egyptian forces that had won at Megiddo. In 605 BC, the Babylonians were again successful, as they defeated the Assyrians and Egyptians at Carchemish, ending Assyria's independence.