Macrinus

• Macrinus (217-218 CE) was a Roman Emperor who was the first Equestrian to become Emperor.
• He is noted for his cruelty, as on one occasion he gave the order for Decimation to his soldiers.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

• NAME:
  • Marcus Opellius Macrinus
• MACRINUS’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
  • 11 April 217 CE to 8 June 218 CE.
• MACRINUS DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born: c.165 CE. Died: 8 June 217 CE.
• PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
  • Born: Caesaria in Mauretania Caesariensis. Died: Cappadocia
• MACRINUS PREDECESSOR:
  • Caracalla
• MACRINUS SUCCESSOR:
  • Diadumenianus, his son.
  • Elagabalus
• HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
  • As Commander of the Praetorian Guard he was thought to have conspired in the murder of Caracalla.
• DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
  • He was defeated in Battle, and eventually captured and executed, along with his son Diadumenianus.
• WHERE BURIED:
  • Unknown. The Senate passed a Damnatio Memoriae against Macrinus and his son Diadumenianus.
• MACRINUS WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
  • He is known as a cruel Emperor, as he gave the order for Decimation of his troops.
  • He was the first Equestrian to become Roman Emperor.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

• Praetorian Prefect:

  • Macrinus was the commander of the Praetorian Guard, and is thought to have come to power by conspiring in the murder of Caracalla, who the Roman Senate did not like.

• Parthia:

  • He inherited a bankrupt State and War with the Parthian Empire, and was forced to sign a Peace Treaty with the Parthians.

• Elagabalus:

  • Elagabalus was proclaimed Emperor at the age of 14 by the Legio III Gallica in Raphanea.
  • His influential grandmother, Julia Maesa, had been instrumental in persuading the Legion that her son was the illegitimate son of Caracalla.

• Execution:

  • Macrinus sent a force from Antioch to quell the rebellion, but it was defeated in Battle.  An army was sent against him and he was eventually captured and executed, along with his son Diadumenianus, whom he had made emperor shortly before.

• Damnatio Memoriae:

  • The Roman Senate passed a Damnatio Memoriae against Macrinus and his son Diadumenianus.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• CLASSICAL SOURCES:
  • Cassius Dio