The Severus Dynasty : Macrinus

Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus 217 – 218 AD

Born: 164 AD at Caesarea, Mauretania
Date of Accession: 11th April 217 AD
Died: Executed June/ July 218 AD in Cappadocia

Governors of Britannia Inferior during his reign:

Marcus Antonius Gordianus by 216 AD

Caracalla left no heirs and his murder left the plotters with an opportunity to promote one of their own. Macrinus was a Moor by birth, innate talent had seen him gain the position of Praetorian commander by 212 AD under Caracalla.

He rapidly purged those he considered stood against him, however his (possible) co-conspirator Julia Domna – by now deeply unwell - defied him and starved herself to death.

Macrinus

The Syrian faction would not long lie dormant however, while campaigning – unsuccessfully – against the Parthians in the east the “false Antoninus” – known to posterity as Elagabalus – grandson of Julia Domna’s sister; Julia Maesa came to the fore.
His mother spread the rumour – heartily taken up by parts of the army – that Elagabalus had been fathered by Caracalla.

Macrinus’s troops, probably still smarting from yet more Severan humiliation on the frontiers lost heart and desertion was rife.
He was captured fleeing – having enjoyed only the briefest of reigns – after his forces defeat in battle at Antioch by forces supporting Elagabalus. He was later executed at Archelais in Cappadocia.

His governor in Britannia Inferior – the future quasi legitimate usurper emperor Gordian I – can only have watched these unfolding events with the greatest of interest.

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