Roman Emperor: Life and Reign of Macrinus Quiz

Answer: Caesarea Mauretania

Marcus Opellius Macrinus' exact birth date is unknown, although it is known he was born in 164 AD. His parents' names were has been lost to history. Historian David Potter asserts that Macrinus was of Berber heritage, citing his pierced ear as proof of the culture he hailed from.

What was once Caesarea Mauretania is now the town of Cherchell in present-day Algeria, located around 55 miles (90 km) west of the country's capital, Algiers. Caesarea in Mauretania was the capital of the Roman province, Mauretania Caesariensis.

Answer: Septimius Severus

Macrinus was born to an equestrian family, but became a lawyer. His skill in law led to him becoming a bureaucrat under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus who reigned from 193-211 AD.

In regards to his career in law, the Roman historian Cassius Dio asserts, "As for his attitude toward law and precedent, his knowledge of them was not so accurate as his observance of them was faithful." Macrinus made such an impression as a lawyer, that he became the lawyer of a Praetorian Prefect of Septimius Severus, Plautianus. Following this time, Macrinus became a director of traffic on the Via Flamina.

Answer: Praetorian Guard

The Praetorian Guard was a special division of the Imperial Roman Army, serving as bodyguards to both the Roman Emperor and ageing members of the legion. Caracalla reigned as Roman Emperor from 198-217 AD. Macrinus became leader of the Praetorian Guard under his reign in 212 AD. Macrinus' prowess was showcased in 216 AD while accompanying Caracalla in his war against the Parthians. The following year in 217 AD, Macrinus was awarded consular rank due to his competence.

Answer: Nonia Celsa

The "Historia Augusta" is a collection of biographical works of the lives of Roman emperors. It has been a consistent subject of debate with historians regarding its reliability, with even its author and date of publication remaining unknown.

The only evidence of Nonia Celsa being the wife of Macrinus (or even existing) is that of a letter included in "Historia Augusta", purporting to be written by Macrinus to her, his wife. Historians have remained skeptical of this letter, citing that as it is from the "Historia Augusta", whose authors were not adverse to inventing characters and producing forgeries. However, she is relevant to mention as her record is the only surviving example of who Macrinus' wife purportedly was.

Answer: He feared Macrinus' ambitions for the Roman throne

It is genuinely held in tradition that Emperor Caracalla was told a prophecy (purportedly by the oracle of Zeus Belus at Apamea) that Macrinus would kill him and seize power in Rome for himself. Macrinus had intercepted a letter from either the oracle in question, or from Flavius Maternianus, who led Rome whenever Caracalla was absent. Macrinus had not made any plays to take Caracalla's place, so it is generally believed that he plotted to kill the emperor strictly to save his own life.

Caracalla was disturbed by the warnings about Macrinus and decided that Macrinus would have to be executed. Macrinus, however, became aware of Caracalla's plans and decided to kill the emperor before his execution would come to fruition.

Answer: Julius Martialis

Carrhae would be the site of Emperor Caracalla's death, who was on his way to visit the temple of the Roman moon goddess, Luna. On the journey to the temple, Caracalla stopped to empty his bladder by the side of the road. Macrinus, who had been waiting for an opportunity to surprise the emperor, had soldier, Julius Martialis, stab him to death whilst his target was in the middle of urinating.

Julius Martialis was chosen to be Caracalla's assassin because the emperor had declined to give him a promotion in the Roman army to the rank of centurion, according to Cassius Dio. However, historian Herodian asserts that Martialis was willing to be Caracalla's assassin as the emperor had recently had his brother executed due to false accusations. Both instances would make Martialis willing to undertake the dangerous task of assassinating Caracalla, his motivation being revenge.

Macrinus took the body of Caracalla back to camp, asserting that he had killed the emperor's assassin, not mentioning that he had orchestrated the assassination. Justin Martialis was killed for his actions, but by one of Caracalla's men.

Herodian asserts in his work "History of the Roman Empire" that "the cheering Senate voted Macrinus all the imperial honors, the fact is, however, that they rejoiced not so much at Macrinus' succession as at their own deliverance from Caracalla. Every man...felt that he had escaped a sword suspended over his head" confirming the many sources that cite Caracalla's unpopularity.

One of the reasons Macrinus was accepted as emperor in spite of his equestrian heritage was the fact that Caracalla was despised by many, and it was deemed preferable that almost anyone take his place on the throne. However, Caracalla was despised more so by the people of Rome and not so the military, who he had paid handsomely for their service. This made the official condemnation of Caracalla very difficult.

Caracalla was 29 at the time of his death, and his ashes were sent to Rome to be held in the Mausoleum of Hadrian.

Answer: Julia Domna

Macrinus decided to completely reform his government once he was proclaimed Roman Emperor, getting rid of several governors of various Roman provinces. He also ordered the execution of anyone who he deemed a threat to his reign.

Julia Domna was the mother of Caracalla. Macrinus originally was unbothered by her, until he discovered she was plotting against him which led him to imprison her in Antioch. Julia was unwell before her house arrest and she purportedly starved herself to death while under house arrest. However, the details of Julia Domna's death vary amongst historians: Cassius Dio asserts that Julia Domna attempted suicide upon hearing about the death of Caracalla while she was in Antioch, whereas Herodian claims that she was successful in her attempt upon hearing the news.

Regardless, Macrinus found it convenient that Julia Domna had died. She had been a popular figure within the Roman military and also a notable royal figurehead, an influence he no longer had to contend with. However, the Severan Dynasty were not done with the short-lied emperor.

Answer: Battle of Nisibis

Nisibis was in northern Mesopotamia, what is now the district of Nusaybin in the province of Mardin, in modern-day Turkey. It was often the stage for battle between the Romans and the Parthians. Cassius Dio asserts that the first bloodshed before the Battle of Nisibs even started occurred when the Parthian Army and the Roman Army began brawling over who was in control of the area's water supply.

The Parthians, led by King Artabanus IV of Parthia, were in abundance of cavalry featuring heavy armour, including archers that rode on camels. Although there was a severe amount of casualties on the Roman side due to this, they proved more effective in one-on-one combat than the Parthians.

The Battle of Nisibis took place over 3 days, with the Parthians winning after outnumbering the Romans. Both armies lost a substantial amount of men, with bodies covering the field that they fought on. Both Macrinus and Artabanus IV wished for peace, (in stark contrast with Carcalla's aggressive stance towards the Parthians) with Macrinus paying the Parthian King 200 million sesterces, instead of the land he had demanded should the Parthians win. However, it has been stated by historians that this figure is only a symbol for a very large amount of money. This gave the already disgruntled Roman soldiers another reason to take issue with Macrinus.

The Battle of Nisibis was the last major battle between the Romans and the Parthians, as the Parthian Empire was later overthrown by Ardashir I, the first ruler and founder of the Sasanian Empire.

Answer: Their pay

Caracalla had previously spent an extravagant amount on the Roman military, paying his soldiers handsomely at the expense at both the Senate and the State. Macrinus understood that if he were to cut the pay of the soldiers already enlisted in his military, this would cause a great uproar and possible mutiny among his troops. He kept their wages as they were, however he decreased this amount for the new recruits, who saw this as unfair. Macrinus hoped that these cuts to the wages of the new recruits would help stabilise the economy that had been wrecked by Caracalla.

The enlisted recruits and the veterans of the Roman Army, however, were not pleased with Macrinus' new policy. They believed that if Macrinus could deduct the wages of the new recruits, it was a matter of time before he did the same to their pay. This made him unpopular with the entire army.

Answer: Emesa

Julia Maesa (160 AD-224 AD) was the older sister of Julia Domna, and the aunt of Caracalla. Fearing her plotting against him as a member of the Severan Dynasty, or taking revenge for his treatment of her sister, Macrinus had Julia Maesa exiled to Emesa in Syria (her birthplace) along with her children: Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea.

Julia Maesa was a wealthy woman, which was certainly helpful in gaining backing of the military. She had saved a fortune over the decades and spent her time in exile in her homeland orchestrating ways to have Macrinus overthrown.

Answer: Elagabalus

Born Varius Avitus Bassianus, Elagabalus (a Phoenician name) got his regal name from the Arab-Roman sun-god, Elegabal, who was originally worshiped in the Emesa. Elagabalus was a priest who was dedicated to this deity. Rumours were spread by his family that the 14 year old Elagabalus was in fact the illegitimate son of Caracalla. He was the son of Julia Soaemias and Roman aristocrat, Sextus Varius Marcellus, and the grandson of Julia Maesa.

The money that Julia Maesa gave the Roman Army was much appreciated considering how disgruntled they were over Macrinus' cuts to their wages. Herodian asserts that there were a lot of Roman troops around the area of Emesa at the time, and they were enthralled with watching the young Elagabalus perform the cult's rituals and the fact that he was a member of the Severan Dynasty. He also reignited the army's loyalty to Caracalla, by wearing the clothes that Caracalla wore when he was a child.

Herodian asserts that Julia Maesa went as far as to tell the soldiers that Caracalla had had relations with both of her daughters while they all lived in the Roman royal palace. Both Soaemias and Caracalla had garnered reputations for promiscuous behaviour, which helped Julia Maesa to cement the rumours as fact among the soldiers.

Answer: Diadumenian

Born Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus, Diadumenian (210-218 AD) reigned alongside his father for a short time in 218 AD. His mother is presumed to be Nonia Celsa. Following his father's defeat in battle after the army defected, he was sent to Artabanus IV of Parthia for his own safety.

This would prove to be another mistake from Macrinus, as Diadumenian was captured by Praetorian, Cladius Pollio, at Zeugma on the journey and executed. The boy had been co-emperor with his father for less than a month at the time of his death.

Answer: Battle of Antioch

The location of the Battle of Antioch of 218 AD is debated. Herodian asserts that it happened near Emesa, whereas Cassius Dio suggests that it took place somewhere between Antioch and Beroea.

Macrinus was already lacking in numbers in regards to his army, with a substantial amount of soldiers defecting to Elagabalus, whose forces were led by Roman general, Gannys, who made up for his inexperience in battle with determination and courage. Julia Maesa and Soaemias Bassiana were at the battle, rallying the troops for Elagabalus. The general agreement among historians is that Macrinus' army retreated, and he fled to Antioch, however, some historians have suggested Macrinus could have won and then traveled to Antioch to claim his victory.

Answer: Cappadocia

Upon losing the Battle of Antioch, Macrinus fled and shaved both his head and beard as an attempt to disguise himself. He reached Chalcedon in Asia Minor, but was captured when he blew his cover by trying to arrange for a large sum of money to be sent to him. A centurion recognised him despite his change of appearance, and he was arrested and taken to Cappadocia (now in modern-day Turkey).

Cassius Do asserts that Roman Praetorian Guard member, Marcianus Taurus, was the one who executed Macrinus. Both Macrinus and his son, Diadumenian, had their heads severed and sent to Elagabalus.

Answer: True

One of the earliest examples of "damnatio memoriae" in Roman history was the use of it against Macrinus and Diadumenian. "Damnatio memoriae" translates to "condemnation of memory" in Latin, and the practice involved removing every account of the person subjected to it to be removed from every official record.

Attempts at completely erasing all evidence that they ever existed were undertaken, their possessions destroyed, and any sculptures, portraits or other forms of art work depicted them were destroyed. Even coins that depicted Macrinus were destroyed. Other emperors of Rome have been subjected to this throughout history, including Nero, Domitian, Caligula, Commodus, and Maximian.