Ancient Coin Stories

Caracalla born as Lucius Septimius Bassianus to Septimius Severus and Julia Domna in Lugdunum.

Septimius Severus installs Caracalla as his successor and has the Senate declare Clodius Albinus an enemy.

Septimius Severus and Caracalla thank Nicopolis ad Istrum for celebrating a festival and sending money.

Septimius Severus proclaims Caracalla and his brother Geta as co-emperors.

Caracalla inducted into the Arval Brethren, a body of priests who offered annual sacrifices to the gods for good harvests.

Caracalla serves as Roman consul with his father, Septimius Severus.

Caracalla forced to marry Fulvia Plautilla, whom he hated.

Birth of daughter, name unknown, to Plautilla and Caracalla.

Caracalla serves as Roman consul for the second time, this time with his brother Geta.

Caracalla banishes his wife, Plautilla.

The Praetorian prefect Plautianus is executed by Septimius Severus after allegation of a conspiracy by Julia Domna and Caracalla.

Caracalla celebrates the tenth year of his rule.

Caracalla serves as consul for the third time with Geta, his second.

Caracalla leads an expedition north of the Antonine Wall to destroy everything on the other side on behalf of Septimius Severus.

Construction of the Baths of Caracalla begins.

Plautilla is strangled to death, possibly on orders from Caracalla.

Septimius Severus dies at Eboracum while on campaign in the north of Britain. Caracalla and Geta become co-emperors with Julia Domna mediating between them.

Caracalla proclaims the Constitutio Antoniniana, which gives all free men in the Roman Empire Roman citizenship.

Caracalla erects a temple to Serapis on the Quirinal Hill.

Caracalla has an unpleasant experience in Nicopolis ad Istrum and strips its title of Ulpia.

Caracalla unsuccessfully attempts to murder Geta at Saturnalia festivities.

Julia Domna arranges a conciliation meeting between her sons and co-emperors Caracalla and Geta. There, Geta is assassinated by the Praetorian Guard.

Caracalla leaves Rome and accompanies troops against the Alamanni.

Caracalla heads to the eastern provinces.

Caracalla visits Alexandria and feels insulted by the locals, so he orders all men of arms-bearing age to be executed.

Caracalla introduces the antoninianus, worth two denarii.

Emperor Caracalla holds funeral games at the Tomb of Achilles at Achilleion on his way to Parthia.

Partial inauguration of the Baths of Caracalla.

Julia Domna commits suicide in Antioch after the death of her son Caracalla.

Caracalla stabbed to death by Justin Martialis, who had been recruited by Macrinus.

Julia Maesa deliberately spreads a rumor that her grandson Elagabalus is the son of Caracalla after an illicit relationship between Caracalla and his mother Julia Soaemias.