Map of the Characene Kingdom.

Abinergaios II was a ruler of Characene,[1][2] an ancient kingdom located at the head of the Persian Gulf in modern Iraq. He reigned around 170 AD and like most Characene rulers he is known only from his coins, on which the spelling of his name varies.

He is the first king of Characene to use only Aramaic on his coins instead of Greek. He is also the first ruler of Characene to not date his coins. Both features indicate a significant decrease in Hellenistic traditions under his rule.[3] The actual dates of his reign can only be estimated.

References

  1. ^ Richard Nelson Frye, The History of Ancient Iran(C.H.Beck, 1984) p277.
  2. ^ E. Yarshater, The Cambridge History of Iran, Cambridge University Press page 487
  3. ^ Monika Schuol: Die Charakene. Ein mesopotamisches Königreich in hellenistisch-parthischer Zeit. Steiner, Stuttgart 2000 pages233–234, 360–362.
Abinergaios II of Characene Preceded byOrabazes II King of Characene c. 165–180 AD Succeeded byAttambelos VIII
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