Meredates of Characene

Meredates was a Parthian prince who ruled the state of Characene, a vassal of the Parthian Empire and important trading port, which he ruled from 131 to 150/151.

He is known to history only from coinage he minted and a single bronze statue.

In 1984 a bronze statue was uncovered in Seleucia. The statue of Hercules has an inscription in Ancient Greek and Parthian inscribed on the thighs. The inscription reports that year 151 the Parthian King Vologases IV fought Meredates of Characene and the statue itself was brought out of Characene and set up in the Temple of Apollo in Seleucia.

Meredates is also known from few coins, and by an inscription found in Palmyra. He was the son of Pacorus II of Parthia and as a result his coins clearly show a Parthian style. The coins' legends read "Meredates, son of Phokoros, King of Kings, King of the Omani".