Orabazes II of Characene

Orabazes II was a king of Characene a kingdom located at the head of the Persian Gulf.[1] His reign was from 150/51 to 165.[2] He was most likely a relative of the Parthian king Vologases IV.[3]

Orabazes coin
Map of the Characene Kingdom.

Like most Characene rulers he is primarily known from his coins. As his rule was in the latter part of Characene history, at a time when the state was increasingly weak, we find that the spelling of his name varies between coins and that legends on his coins are consistently partially corrupt. Furthermore, so far only two coins are known that carry a readable date (151 and 156/7 AD).

He is also the first Characene ruler to use Aramaic text although the images on the coin are still Hellenistic.[4]

References
  1. E. Yarshater, The Cambridge History of Iran, Cambridge University Press page 487
  2. Richard Nelson Frye, The History of Ancient Iran(C.H.Beck, 1984) p. 277.
  3. Gregoratti 2017, p. 133.
  4. Monika Schuol, The Characene:A mesopotanian Kingdom in Hellenistic times. Steiner, Stuttgart 2000 pages. 233-234, 356-360.

Sources
  • Gregoratti, Leonardo (2017). "The Arsacid Empire". In Daryaee, Touraj (ed.). King of the Seven Climes: A History of the Ancient Iranian World (3000 BCE - 651 CE). UCI Jordan Center for Persian Studies. pp. 1–236. ISBN 9780692864401.
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