Historical Figure
Caracalla
d. 217
Roman emperor from 198 to 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.
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.
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.
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.
Ordered construction of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The complex could serve 1,600 bathers at once and stood for centuries.
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.
Artifacts (13)
Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Caracalla
Ancient Roman
Baths of Caracalla, Rome
Cass Gilbert, born Zanesville, OH 1858-died Brockenhurst, England 1934
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