Middle Roman Empire, Severan Dynasty (193-217); 22*Caracalla, 23*Geta: Introduction

22*CARACALLA (29; r.198-217)

23*GETA (22; r.209-211)

The nickname ‘Caracalla’ came from the hooded cloak that he wore. Severus’ intention was obviously for his two sons to share the throne equally. With his pay increases and improvements in service Severus had endeared himself and his sons to the soldiers and they shared Severus’ ideal of the dynasty. During his father’s ill-health, Caracalla conducted many campaigns in his place. The troops followed him faithfully and he turned to them when his father died, but the Guard and the legions now swore their oaths to both sons. 

The two brothers were supposed to reign equally but Caracalla, who was eleven months older than Geta, expected deference from his brother and on their return to Rome the tension between them intensified. Among those expected to keep the peace were the two praetorian prefects, Maecius Laetus (cos.115) and Aemilius (22) Papinianus (70; fl.207-212), later known as Papinian.  At some point Caracalla fired Papinianus and dismissed the city prefect ³³Julius Asper, replacing them both with Varius (3) Marcellus (c.50; fl.204-c.215).

On 26 December 211 on the instructions of his brother, Geta was assassinated. While Geta’s body was being incinerated on the palace grounds, Caracalla went to the praetorian camp where he explained that his brother had been planning to poison him. Next he went to Castra Albana, sixteen miles southeast of Rome, where Severus had installed Legio II Parthica as a counterbalance to the praetorians in Rome. As they had sworn allegiance to both the sons of Severus, the legionaries at first refused Caracalla admittance. But after he informed them of Geta’s ‘betrayal’ and promised a large donative, the gates were finally opened.

Up to this time it was usual for a prospective emperor to wait to be asked to take the throne so as to give the appearance that he was the servant of the soldiers’ will. But now the II Parthica, having sworn to uphold Severus’ will, had now set a precedent of not being prepared to do their part until their own existing privileges were guaranteed or enhanced.

After meeting with the Senate, during which he promised to return all the senators that had been exiled under Severus, the new emperor embarked on an immense purge of Geta’s supporters. ⁰⁹Cassius Dio (c.80; fl.205-235) puts the number of killed at twenty thousand. Orders were sent throughout the Empire to obliterate the memory of Geta, whose portraits and statues were destroyed and his name chiselled out of inscriptions. It was declared a crime to even mention his name.