Caracalla

(Marcus Anotninus Caracalla)

Augustus (211AD-217AD)

Caracalla was the son of the Emperor Septimius Severus. His real name was Marcus Antoninius (his father having adopted him into the Antonine dynasty) but he was given the name Caracalla because of the short Gallic cloak he frequently wore. Severus' plans for succession included Caracalla and his younger brother Geta to reign jointly, despite their mutual loathing for each other. The joint rule did not long outlive Severus (who died in 211) because Caracalla murdered his brother, some say in their mother's own arms. Caracalla continued his father's policy of appeasement to the armies, but added to it more viciousness to the senatorial class and large amounts of megalomania. Caracalla wished to join the Roman and Parthian empires together, and requested the hand of the Parthian King's daughter in marriage. When this offer was politely avoided, Caracalla marched to invade Parthia. Initially he proved quite successful, but he was murdered on the orders of his Praetorian Prefect Macrinus, who, despite not being of the senatorial order, succeeded him as Emperor.

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