Isidore of Charax

Who is Isidore of Charax?

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, 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 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.