Isidore of Charax
Encyclopedia
Isidorus Characenus commonly translated Isidore of Charax, was a geographer of the 1st century BC/1st century AD about whom nothing is known but his name and that he wrote at least one work.
Isidore's name has been interpreted by his editor and translator W.H. Schoff to indicate that he was from the city of Charax
in Characene
, on the northern end of the present Persian Gulf
. However, the word 'Charax' merely means "palisade", and there were several fortified towns that bore the name 'Charax'.
Isidore's best known work is Parthian stations (Mansio
nes Parthicae), an itinerary of the overland trade route from Antioch
to India
, specifically the caravan stations maintained by the Arsacid government. Isidore must have written Parthian Stations some time after 26 BC, for it refers to the revolt of Tiridates II
against Phraates IV
, which occurred in that year. In its surviving form, Parthian Stations appears to be a summary of some larger work. A reference in Athenaeus
(iii.46) suggests that the title of the greater work was Journey around Parthia. Athenaeus's reference, not included in the present text of Mansiones Parthicae, is a description of pearl fishing.
The 1st century historiographer Pliny
refers to a "description of the world" commissioned by the Emperor Augustus
"to gather all necessary information in the east when his eldest son was about to set out for Armenia to take the command against the Parthians and Arabians". Pliny refers to the author as one "Dionysius", but it is assumed that this is a mistake and Isidore was meant; it is Isidore who is cited for measurements of geographic distances (ii.112, iv.5, iv.30, iv.37, v.6, v.9, v.35-39, v.43).
The 2nd century satirist Lucian of Samosata also cites an Isidore (not necessarily Isidore of Charax) for claims of longevity (Macrobii 15 and 18). Lucian does not note the name of the work he cites.
A collection of translations of the various fragments attributed to Isidore of Charax were published with commentary in a 46 page booklet by Wilfred Harvey Schoff in 1914. The translation of Parthian Stations in that volume is that of Carl Müller in Geographi Græci Minores I, pp. 244–256, Paris, 1853.
Isidore's name has been interpreted by his editor and translator W.H. Schoff to indicate that he was from the city of Charax
Charax Spasinu
Charax Spasinu, or Charax Pasinu, Charax Spasinou , Alexandria , and Antiochia in Susiana was an ancient port at the head of the Persian Gulf, and the capital of the ancient kingdom of Characene.The exact location of Charax is unknown...
in Characene
Characene
Characene, also known as Mesene , was a kingdom within the Parthian Empire at the head of the Persian Gulf. Its capital was Charax Spasinou, "The Fort of Hyspaosines"...
, on the northern end of the present Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. However, the word 'Charax' merely means "palisade", and there were several fortified towns that bore the name 'Charax'.
Isidore's best known work is Parthian stations (Mansio
Mansio
In the Roman Empire, a mansio was an official stopping place on a Roman road, or via, maintained by the central government for the use of officials and those on official business whilst travelling.-Background:The roads which traversed the Ancient World, were later surveyed,...
nes Parthicae), an itinerary of the overland trade route from Antioch
Antioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, specifically the caravan stations maintained by the Arsacid government. Isidore must have written Parthian Stations some time after 26 BC, for it refers to the revolt of Tiridates II
Tiridates II of Parthia
Tiridates II of Parthia was set up by the Parthians against Phraates IV in about 32 BC, but expelled when Phraates returned with the help of the Scythians...
against Phraates IV
Phraates IV of Parthia
King Phraates IV of Parthia, son of Orodes II, ruled the Parthian Empire from 37–2 BC. He was appointed successor to the throne in 37 BC, after the death of his brother Pacorus I...
, which occurred in that year. In its surviving form, Parthian Stations appears to be a summary of some larger work. A reference in Athenaeus
Athenaeus
Athenaeus , of Naucratis in Egypt, Greek rhetorician and grammarian, flourished about the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd century AD...
(iii.46) suggests that the title of the greater work was Journey around Parthia. Athenaeus's reference, not included in the present text of Mansiones Parthicae, is a description of pearl fishing.
The 1st century historiographer Pliny
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
refers to a "description of the world" commissioned by the Emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
"to gather all necessary information in the east when his eldest son was about to set out for Armenia to take the command against the Parthians and Arabians". Pliny refers to the author as one "Dionysius", but it is assumed that this is a mistake and Isidore was meant; it is Isidore who is cited for measurements of geographic distances (ii.112, iv.5, iv.30, iv.37, v.6, v.9, v.35-39, v.43).
The 2nd century satirist Lucian of Samosata also cites an Isidore (not necessarily Isidore of Charax) for claims of longevity (Macrobii 15 and 18). Lucian does not note the name of the work he cites.
A collection of translations of the various fragments attributed to Isidore of Charax were published with commentary in a 46 page booklet by Wilfred Harvey Schoff in 1914. The translation of Parthian Stations in that volume is that of Carl Müller in Geographi Græci Minores I, pp. 244–256, Paris, 1853.