Caracalla

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Caracalla

Caracalla , 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

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Caracalla (188–217) ( Marcus Aurelius Antoninus) Roman Emperor (211–17). He murdered his brother, Geta, along with many of his supporters (212). Excessive expenditure on war caused economic crisis. During his reign, Roman citizenship was extended to all free men in the Empire. Caracalla was assassinated by his successor, Macrinus.

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Caracalla

A Dictionary of British History | 2004 | | Â© A Dictionary of British History 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Caracalla Roman emperor. The eldest son of the Emperor Septimius Severus, his real name was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Caracalla being a nickname from his habit of wearing the military cloak. He came to Britain with his father in 208 to take part in the campaign into Scotland. After his father's death at York in 211 he withdrew the troops to Hadrian's Wall before returning to Rome to substantiate his claim to the throne by murdering his brother. He was assassinated in 218.

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JOHN CANNON. "Caracalla." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 8 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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