v31_0355 - MACRINUS Sesterce, (GB, Æ 34)

MACRINUS

(11/04/217-8/06/218)

Macrin was born in 164 in Cherchell in Mauretania. He is not a senator, but a knight, of indigenous (Moorish) origin. Procurator of the "res privata" (private fund of the Emperor) of Caracalla, he then became prefect of the Praetorium from 212. After the assassination of Caracalla on April 8, 217, he was acclaimed emperor on April 11. He will never come to Rome and remains in Antioch. He deifies Caracalla, but exiles Julia Domna, who lets herself die. He takes the title of Severus to rally the supporters of the Severian family to him and gives the prænomen of Antoninus to his son, Diadumenian, promoted to Caesar. Trying to conciliate everyone, he runs into the army, which misses Caracalla. Soldiers quartered in Emesa proclaimed Elagabalus on May 16, 218. Defeated in June, Macrinus fled. Hearing of the death of Diaduménien, he tries to commit suicide by throwing himself from his chariot and is finished off by his own soldiers..