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ArameansWorld History of Agapius of Hierapolis
"Nahor begot Aram, and from his name the people who settled in Harran in Mesopotamia and the surrounding regions as far as Mosul were called Arameans. We have also found in the books mention of another Aram, descended from Shem, who dwelt to the east of Susa (Susiana), opposite Elam and Assur. From him came the Elamites, the Assyrians, and their tribes. The borders of Aram, son of Shem, son of Noah, extended as far as the land of Maysan; therefore the population of that land and the regions beyond took the name of Aram, their father, descended from the sons of Shem, son of Noah."
Agapius of Hierapolis identifies Aram as a Semitic patriarch from whom the Arameans derived their name, locating their early settlements in Harran, Mesopotamia, and up to Mosul. It also presents a second tradition in which another Aram, son of Shem, is associated with regions east of Susa, and from whom the Assyrians, Elamites, and related tribes are said to descend. The land of Aram is described as stretching as far as Maysan, explaining why the peoples of these regions were collectively called Arameans.
Agapius did think of Syriac Christians as belonging to the Semitic line of Aram son of Shem, but he also acknowledged secondary traditions explaining how the name Aram was applied to different regions and peoples. This is inclusion, not denial.
Agapius of Hierapolis identifies Aram as a Semitic patriarch from whom the Arameans derived their name, locating their early settlements in Harran, Mesopotamia, and up to Mosul. It also presents a second tradition in which another Aram, son of Shem, is associated with regions east of Susa, and from whom the Assyrians, Elamites, and related tribes are said to descend. The land of Aram is described as stretching as far as Maysan, explaining why the peoples of these regions were collectively called Arameans.
Agapius did think of Syriac Christians as belonging to the Semitic line of Aram son of Shem, but he also acknowledged secondary traditions explaining how the name Aram was applied to different regions and peoples. This is inclusion, not denial.