[1] The Kingdom of Characene had since 141 BC been ruled by Hyspaosines and his descendants as Parthian vassals; the last king of the line, Attambelos VII without much trouble submitted to the Roman emperor Trajan in 116 AD.

[3] Based on the Characenian coins, Meredates became king of the region in c. 131,[4] during the reign of his brother Vologases III (r. 110–147).

[1] During his rule, Meredates became a powerful client-king, due to his commercial leadership and a lucrative alliance with the Palmyrene merchants.

[6][1] Meredates, member of the overthrown Arsacid branch, and in possession of vast amount of resources, posed a great danger to Vologases IV; in 150/51 AD, Vologases IV invaded Characene and defeated Meredates, and appointed Orabazes II, most likely a relative of his, as the new king of the region.

[6][1] Vologases IV's forces seized a statue of Heracles, the patron god of the Characenian royalty.