Today's post highlights several coins from Geta and Caracalla two princes of ancient Rome, one of whom became emperor. There is no shortage of ancient commentary on the poor relationship between these brother. I will provide one example:
"Severus [the emperor and their father] tried constantly to reconcile his sons and persuade them to live in peace and harmony. He kept reminding them of tales and plays of old, telling them time and again of the misfortunes suffered by royal brothers as a result of dissension."
- Herodian, History of the Roman Empire, 3.13
"The two sons left by Septimius Severus, Geta and Bassianus (Caracalla), both received the surname Antoninus, one from the army, the other from his father, but Geta was declared a public enemy, while Bassianus got the empire."
-Historia Augusta, The Life of Antoninus Caracalla, 1.1Caracalla was the eldest son of the emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. He was elevated to Caesar sometime in 196 CE. This denarius commemorates the event:
Caracalla as Caesar, 196-198 Ce, AR denarius, Rome mint, struck AD 196
Obv: M AVR ANTONINVS CAES, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: SEVERI AVG PII FIL, Priestly implements: lituus, cultellus, capis, simpulum, and aspergillum
Ref: RIC IV 4
Geta, his younger brother, was elevated to Caesar in January 28, 198, and this coin was issued recognizing the event.
Roman Imperial, Geta (Caesar, 198-209), AR Denarius 3.23g, Rome
Obv: L SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, bareheaded and draped bus right.
Rev: SEVERI PII AVG FIL, priestly implements: lituus, knife, ewer, simpulum and aspergillum.
Ref: RIC 3
These two coins are the setup for an entertaining story of "historical fiction" or good "movie script" (first proposed by Doug Smith, author of an informative website on ancient coins that is available today on Forum Ancient Coins).
In the story, Caracalla, the older brother who was not known for his even temper, becomes angry that he is now potentially seen by the Roman people as equal to his younger brother. In the face of this untenable possibility, he throws a tantrum demanding some differentiation on his coins. The result is the following coin which has a legend off the flan: DESTINATO IMPERAT - DESTINED to be EMPEROR).
Caracalla as Caesar, AD 196-198, AR denarius, Rome mint, struck AD 196-198
Obv: M AVR ANTON-CAES PONTIF, bare headed, draped bust of Caracalla right, seen from behind
Rev: [DESTINATO IMPERAT], priestly implements: lituus, apex, bucranium, simpulum
Ref: RIC IV 6
Caracalla still not satisfied with this modest change in title and demanded the next promotion to Augustus.
Although it is a fun story, the actual timing of events don't quite match the sequence: the elevation of Caracalla to Augustus happened on the same day as Geta was named Caesar. The "DESTINATO IMPERAT" coin was issued some time before Geta was made Caesar. As already mentioned, the rivalry is not questioned.
Here's a coin with a young Caracalla as Augustus. The "Securit Orbis" reverse shows Securitas with a "languid air" that fits well with the legend of a secure and carefree world with thanks to Caracalla! (Irony intended as Caracalla was not known for his carefree ways).
Caracalla (securing the world), AR Denarius, Rome, circa AD 198-199, 18.5mm 3.35g
Obv: IMP CAES M AVR ANTON AVG, laureate and draped bust right
Rev: SECVRIT ORBIS, Securitas seated right on throne, resting head upon hand and holding sceptre; lighted and garlanded altar to right
Ref: RSC 571; RIC 22(a); BMC S118;
The end of the story for Geta, is was also not a happy one, as he was murdered by his brother shortly after his father's death (26 December 211).
Herodian:
After his father's death, Caracalla seized control and immediately began to murder everyone in the court; he killed the physicians who had refused to obey his orders to hasten the old man's death and also murdered those men who had reared his brother and himself because they persisted in urging him to live at peace with Geta. He did not spare any of the men who had attended his father or were held in esteem by him.
-Herodian, History of the Roman Empire, 3.15.4Historia Augusta:
"After his father's death he went to the Praetorian Camp and complained there to the soldiers that his brother was forming a conspiracy against him. And so he had his brother slain in the Palace, giving orders to burn his body at once. He also said in the Camp that his brother had shown disrespect to their mother. To those who had killed his brother he rendered thanks publicly, and indeed he even gave them a bonus for being so loyal to him."
-Historia Augusta, Life of Caracalla, 2.4Here's another coin of Caracalla as sole emperor in 216 about 5 years after he murdered his brother, with a more mature portrait and Zeus on the reverse.
Caracalla as Augustus, AR Denarius, Rome, AD 216
Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head to right
Rev: P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P, Jupiter seated to left, holding Victory and sceptre, eagle at feet
Ref: RIC IV 277c
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