Characene

Characene was a state in Mesopotamia (Middle East) that lasted from c. 141 BCE to 222 CE, about 362 years. Its people spoke Iranian languages (Median, Persian, Parthian, Scythian, Sogdian, Pashto, Kurdish).

Kingdom at the head of the Persian Gulf founded by Hyspaosines, a former Seleucid governor, which controlled sea trade with India under Parthian overlordship. Ardashir I conquered it.

See Characene on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 141 BCE to 222 CE
Duration: 362 years
Type: State
Region: Mesopotamia, Middle East
Language family: Iranian
Capital: Charax Spasinou

Events in Middle East during its time

53 BCE Battle of Carrhae
30 Crucifixion of Jesus
70 Romans destroy the Second Temple

Neighbours in Middle East

Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE
Kingdom of Saba c. 1000 BCE to 275 CE
Greek cities of Asia Minor c. 1050 to 129 BCE
Kingdom of Iberia (Kartli) c. 302 BCE to 580 CE
Himyarite Kingdom c. 110 BCE to 525 CE
Roman Anatolia 133 BCE to 395 CE
Roman Syria and Judaea 64 BCE to 395 CE
Arsacid Armenia 52 to 428 CE
Palmyra c. 50 BCE to 273 CE
Nabataean Kingdom c. 168 BCE to 106 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
Roman Empire 27 BCE to 395 CE, Europe
Kushan Empire c. 30 to 375 CE, South Asia
Xiongnu Empire c. 209 BCE to 93 CE, Central and North Asia
Ptolemaic Kingdom 305 to 30 BCE, North and West Africa
Western Han 202 BCE to 9 CE, East Asia
Eastern Han 25 to 220 CE, East Asia

Questions

When did Characene exist?

c. 141 BCE to 222 CE, about 362 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Characene?

Mesopotamia, in Middle East. Its capital was Charax Spasinou.

What language did Characene speak?

Iranian. This family includes Median, Persian, Parthian, Scythian, Sogdian, Pashto, Kurdish.