Charax-Spasinu

Charax - Spasinou was the capital of the ancient kingdom Charakene. From Charax - Spasinou originates among others Isidore of Charax.

The city, then located on the Persian Gulf, near the Tigris and near Basra, was founded by Alexander the Great and initially was named Alexandria. After submersion Antiochus V Eupator built the city, and renamed it in Antioch. After another flood disaster and a new structure named Hyspaosines the city again by itself ( Charax Spasinou - called " palisade of Hyspaosines "). Hyspaosines made ​​it the capital of his kingdom Charakene. The Sassanid ruler Ardashir I gave the city then again a new name: Astarabad - Ardashir. The Arabic name of the place was then Karch Maysan.

Charax - Spasinou is the Elder ( Natural History, 6.31 ) described by Pliny, who boasts its dam equipment mainly. Charax - Spasinou was an important trade center, especially for the India trade.

The city could be localized in surveys in the area with some certainty and is approximately 2.8 x 1.5 x 1.3 x 2.9 km in size. Excavations were not previously held. Surface finds ( ceramics) are from Sasanian and early Islamic times.