Roman Empire. Macrinus (AD 217-218). Denarius
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Selected by Carmen Vera Gutiérrez
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Description from the seller
From my private collection!
Ancient Roman Imperial Period Macrinus (217–218 AD). AR-denarius (approx. 2.1). Rome, 218 AD
IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, Laurel crown, armored bust of Macrinus to the right, as seen from the front / PONTIF MAX TR P II COS P P, Macrinus stands in a triumphal quadriga to the left, branch raised in the right hand, scepter in the left, crowned by Victoria, who stands at the back of the wagon.
RIC IV.II 36.
Macrinus was born around 165 AD in Mauretania. His family belonged to the upper middle class, which enabled him to receive an education that propelled him to high offices as a bureaucrat during the reign of Septimius Severus. Caracalla appointed Macrinus as Praetorian Prefect, a position of considerable power that ranked only behind the emperor. In 216 AD, Macrinus accompanied Caracalla on a campaign against the Parthians. There he learned of a letter that implicated him in a plot against the emperor. Acting swiftly, he had Caracalla murdered by one of his bodyguards. Macrinus proclaimed his innocence and convinced the army to proclaim him emperor on 11 April 217. Although the Senate in Rome was glad to be rid of the unpopular Caracalla, it treated Macrinus with skepticism, yet gave him a chance. Hoping to withdraw from the campaign and return to Rome, Macrinus sought a peace treaty with the Parthians. The Parthians, however, sensed weakness and gathered their forces, forcing Macrinus to pay large bribes and reparations.
To the Roman soldiers, this seemed like a defeat, and Macrinus further affronted them by retracting the generous pay raise Caracalla had granted. Discontent grew, and Caracalla’s influential aunt Julia Maesa bribed the Roman garrison at Emesa in Syria to proclaim her 13-year-old grandson Elagabal as emperor on 15 May 218 AD. Macrinus, who initially rejected the rebellion, eventually gathered his loyal legions on 8 June to meet the rebels near Antioch. Although his troops were close to victory, Macrinus lost resolve and fled. His demoralized soldiers changed sides and declared their support for Elagabal. Disguised as a courier, Macrinus attempted to flee through Asia Minor, but was captured and executed at Chalcedon. His son endured a similar fate on the way to Parthian exile.
From my private collection!
Ancient Roman Imperial Period Macrinus (217–218 AD). AR-denarius (approx. 2.1). Rome, 218 AD
IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, Laurel crown, armored bust of Macrinus to the right, as seen from the front / PONTIF MAX TR P II COS P P, Macrinus stands in a triumphal quadriga to the left, branch raised in the right hand, scepter in the left, crowned by Victoria, who stands at the back of the wagon.
RIC IV.II 36.
Macrinus was born around 165 AD in Mauretania. His family belonged to the upper middle class, which enabled him to receive an education that propelled him to high offices as a bureaucrat during the reign of Septimius Severus. Caracalla appointed Macrinus as Praetorian Prefect, a position of considerable power that ranked only behind the emperor. In 216 AD, Macrinus accompanied Caracalla on a campaign against the Parthians. There he learned of a letter that implicated him in a plot against the emperor. Acting swiftly, he had Caracalla murdered by one of his bodyguards. Macrinus proclaimed his innocence and convinced the army to proclaim him emperor on 11 April 217. Although the Senate in Rome was glad to be rid of the unpopular Caracalla, it treated Macrinus with skepticism, yet gave him a chance. Hoping to withdraw from the campaign and return to Rome, Macrinus sought a peace treaty with the Parthians. The Parthians, however, sensed weakness and gathered their forces, forcing Macrinus to pay large bribes and reparations.
To the Roman soldiers, this seemed like a defeat, and Macrinus further affronted them by retracting the generous pay raise Caracalla had granted. Discontent grew, and Caracalla’s influential aunt Julia Maesa bribed the Roman garrison at Emesa in Syria to proclaim her 13-year-old grandson Elagabal as emperor on 15 May 218 AD. Macrinus, who initially rejected the rebellion, eventually gathered his loyal legions on 8 June to meet the rebels near Antioch. Although his troops were close to victory, Macrinus lost resolve and fled. His demoralized soldiers changed sides and declared their support for Elagabal. Disguised as a courier, Macrinus attempted to flee through Asia Minor, but was captured and executed at Chalcedon. His son endured a similar fate on the way to Parthian exile.
Details
Era
Before 1400
Culture/region
Roman Empire
Ruler
Macrinus (AD 217-218)
Denomination
Denarius
Metal
AR
Condition
Ungraded
Weight
2 g
Number of items
1
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