Caracalla (redirected from Marcus Aurelius Antonius Caracalla)

Caracalla (kărəkăl`ə), 188–217, Roman emperor (211–17); son of Septimius Severus. His real name was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, and he received his nickname from the caracalla, a Gallic tunic he regularly wore. He was made caesar in 196 and augustus in 198, but he resented having to share these honors with his brother Geta. Early in his career he revealed his ruthless character by bringing about the downfall of his father-in-law, the political leader Plautianus, through false reports. After Septimius Severus died, leaving the empire to his two sons, Caracalla murdered (212) the more popular Geta and ordered a general massacre of Geta's followers and sympathizers (including the jurist Papinian). He thus ushered in a reign infamous for cruelty and bloodshed. Caracalla did, however, pacify the German frontier. He also extended Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire, not out of generosity but to increase his income from taxes in order to meet staggering expenses. He tried to buy popularity with his soldiers and planned an ambitious campaign to extend his father's conquests into old Persia. When leading an expedition in Asia, Caracalla was murdered by Macrinus, who succeeded him. The famous Baths of Caracalla were erected in his reign.

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Caracalla

 officially Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus orig. Septimius Bassianus

(born April 4, AD188, Lugdunum [Lyon], Gaul—died April 8, 217, near Carrhae, Mesopotamia) Roman emperor (198–217). He was nicknamed Caracalla for a Gallic cloak he allegedly designed. Until 211 he ruled with his father, Septimius Severus, a North African who became emperor in 193. To assure his undisputed rule, Caracalla killed his brother Geta and many of his friends. He built colossal baths in Rome, which still stand. He gave Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire (212) but showed extreme cruelty toward all who opposed him, and he massacred Germans, Parthians, and Alexandrians. He was murdered by the praetorian prefect. He is regarded as one of Rome's most bloodthirsty tyrants, and his reign contributed to the empire's decay.

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Caracalla

Roman emperor (211–217) massacred many thousands [Rom. Hist.: EB (1963) IV, 825]

See : Brutality