Caracalla

Emperor who murdered his brother to seize sole power and granted citizenship to all free people in the empire.

Life

Fratricide

Caracalla was the son of the emperor Septimius Severus. After his father's death in 211 CE he ruled jointly with his younger brother Geta, but within a year he had Geta killed in their mother's arms and purged several thousand of Geta's supporters.

Edict on citizenship

In 212 CE he issued an edict granting Roman citizenship to nearly all free inhabitants of the empire. He sharply raised soldiers' pay and built the enormous Baths of Caracalla; in 215 CE he massacred large numbers of citizens in Alexandria.

Baths

In 217 CE, on campaign against Parthia, he was assassinated by a man sent by the Praetorian prefect while he had dismounted to relieve himself.

Legacy

Caracalla's edict on citizenship was a milestone in the history of Roman law, but he himself was notorious for his brutality and is ranked by historians among the worst emperors.

Did you know? "Caracalla" was the name of a kind of hooded Gallic cloak he often wore, which later became his nickname.

Key dates

• 211Co-ruled with his younger brother
• 211Killed his younger brother Geta
• 212Issued the edict on citizenship
• 215Massacre at Alexandria
• 216Baths of Caracalla completed
• 217Assassinated