Caracalla (d. 217)

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Biography

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, better known by his nickname Caracalla, was Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD, first serving as nominal co-emperor under his father and then ruling alone after 211 AD. He was a member of the Severan dynasty, the elder son of Emperor Septimius Severus and Empress Julia Domna. Severus proclaimed Caracalla co-ruler in 198, doing the same with his other son Geta in 209. The two brothers briefly shared power after their father's death in 211, but Caracalla soon had Geta murdered by the Praetorian Guard and became sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Julia Domna had a significant share in governance, since Caracalla found administration to be mundane. His reign featured domestic instability and external invasions by the Germanic peoples.

Timeline

The story of Caracalla, told in moments.

188 Birth

Born Lucius Septimius Bassianus in Lugdunum (modern Lyon, France), the elder son of Emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. His nickname came from a type of Gallic hooded cloak he wore.

Did growing up as emperor's son in Gaul give you a different perspective on Rome? Was the hooded cloak a fashion choice or an identity?

211 Event

His father died at Eboracum (York) while campaigning in Britain. Caracalla and his brother Geta became co-emperors. Within months, Caracalla had Geta murdered in their mother's arms.

How do you murder your brother in your mother's arms? Was co-ruling with Geta ever going to work?

212 Event

Issued the Constitutio Antoniniana, granting Roman citizenship to all free men in the empire. The edict gave roughly 30 million people the legal status previously reserved for a few million.

Was granting citizenship to 30 million people idealism or a tax strategy? Did the Constitutio Antoniniana change how you saw the empire?

216 Life

Ordered construction of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The complex could serve 1,600 bathers at once and stood for centuries.

Were the Baths that served 1,600 people your idea of public service? Is a building that lasts centuries your real legacy?

217 Death

Assassinated by a soldier named Martialis while stopping to urinate on the road between Edessa and Carrhae during a campaign against Parthia. He was 29.

Does being assassinated while urinating feel like the universe's final comment? Was 29 old enough to have accomplished what you did?

Artifacts (9)

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

85 - Southern South America

1 Jan 1919

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

83 - Western South America

15 Oct 1932

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

85 - Southern South America

16 Feb 1928

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

83 - Western South America

18 Dec 1940

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

83 - Western South America

21 Jan 1946 to 26 Jan 1946

Smithsonian View

Baths of Caracalla, Rome

Cass Gilbert, born Zanesville, OH 1858-died Brockenhurst, England 1934

1880 · watercolor and pencil on paper

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

83 - Western South America

1891

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

Palmer, --

Smithsonian View

Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew

80 - Central America

Sep 1891

Smithsonian View

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