Geta

• Geta (209-211 CE) was made co-Emperor in 209 CE with his father Septimius Severus and his brother, Caracalla
• After his father died on 4th February 2011 CE, he and his brother ruled together until Caracalla had him assassinated on 26th December 211 CE.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

• NAME:
  • Publius Septimius Geta
• GETA’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
  • 209 CE to 26 December 211 CE.
  • In 209 CE Geta was made co-Emperor with his brother and his Father, Septimius Severus, until the latter’s death on 4 Feb 211 CE. He then continued as Co-Emperor with his brother Caracalla, until his assassination on 26 Dec 211 CE.
• GETA’S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born on 7 March 189 CE. Died on 26 December 211 CE.
• PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born in Rome, Italy. Died in Rome, Italy.
• GETA’S PREDECESSOR:
  • Septimius Severus, his father.
• GETA’S SUCCESSOR:
  • Caracalla, his brother.
• HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
  • He was a member of the Severan Dynasty.
  • He was named co-Emperor with his brother Caracalla by his father Septimius Severus.
• DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • Assassinated by his brother Caracalla.
• WHERE BURIED:
  • Caracalla declared a Damnatio Memoriae on Geta, and simultaneously executed up to 20,000 people.
• GETA WAS NOTABLE BECAUSE:
  • He was murdered by his brother Caracalla.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

• Geta was constantly in antagonism with his brother Caracalla from childhood.
• Their father made them joint Emperors to appease this antagonism.
• However, after their father’s death, on 4th February 211 CE, Caracalla studied to have Geta assassinated, so that he could become sole Emperor himself. They lived in separate parts of the palace during the months that followed.
• Finally, Caracalla succeeded in having him assassinated on 26 December 211 CE, and Geta died in his mother’s arms.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• CLASSICAL SOURCES:
  • Dio Cassius
  • Herodian