Ruler/Emperor:
Septimius Severus and Caracalla
City/Region:
Rome mint
Denomination:
AR Denarius
Composition:
Silver
Date:
203 AD
Obverse:
ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, Head of Caracalla, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right
Reverse:
PONT TR P VI COS, Roma, helmeted, in military dress, standing front, head left, holding Victory on right hand and vertical spear, reversed in left
Size:
19.35mm, 2.9g, 12h
Grade:
aEF, toned, lustrous surfaces
References:
Youthful portrait of Caracalla
Lucius Septimius Bassianus . He became known as 'Caracalla' after the Gallic cloak which he regularly wore. He was assassinated by a soldier on route to visiting a temple near Carrhae, whilst stopping briefly to attend to the call of nature. Three days later, Macrinus declared himself emperor. Caracalla's popularity with the military ensured he was not subject to a damnatio memoriae. Notwithstanding this, his reputation and legacy in history remains that of a cruel ruler, whose terrible deeds include the murder of his brother Geta and the massacre of Geta's supporters.
