CARACALLA.(197-217).Rome.Denarius.

Obv : ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM.
Laureate head right.

Rev : LIBERAL AVG VIIII.
Liberalitas standing left with abacus and cornucopia.
RIC 302.
EX BIGA.

Condition : The coin is in relatively good condition with a smooth, pale silver patina. There is minimal wear on the obverse, with the facial features of the portrait clearly visible. The reverse also shows clear details of the figure, with well-preserved inscriptions around the edges. The patina is even, giving the coin an aged but stable appearance, with some natural toning near the edges.Good very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 3.79 gr
Diameter : 17 mm

Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus in 188 CE, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 211 to 217 CE. He is best known for his military campaigns, the notorious murder of his brother Geta, and his implementation of the *Constitutio Antoniniana*, which granted Roman citizenship to nearly all free inhabitants of the empire. His reign was marked by brutality, internal strife, and a focus on maintaining the power of the military.

Caracalla was the eldest son of Emperor Septimius Severus and became co-emperor with his father and younger brother Geta in 198 CE. Upon the death of Severus in 211 CE, Caracalla and Geta were supposed to rule jointly as co-emperors. However, the brothers had a deep rivalry, and their relationship quickly deteriorated. Later that same year, Caracalla ordered the murder of Geta, allegedly while Geta was seeking refuge in their mother’s arms. Following the murder, Caracalla embarked on a ruthless purge, executing thousands of Geta's supporters and erasing his brother’s memory from public records and monuments in a practice known as *damnatio memoriae*.

One of Caracalla's most significant acts as emperor was the *Constitutio Antoniniana* in 212 CE, a decree that extended Roman citizenship to nearly all free men within the empire. While this move is often seen as a way to unify the empire and increase loyalty to Rome, it was also a financial decision, as it expanded the tax base by making more people liable for the taxes that only Roman citizens had to pay.

Caracalla's reign was characterized by his strong reliance on the military. He increased soldiers' pay significantly, securing their loyalty, but placing a heavy strain on the empire’s finances. His militaristic focus also extended to his personal image; he was often depicted in military attire, and he sought to align himself with the figure of Alexander the Great, whom he idolized. Caracalla led several military campaigns, particularly against the Germanic tribes along the northern frontiers and the Parthian Empire in the east.

Despite his military focus, Caracalla’s rule was marked by cruelty and instability. His authoritarian style and brutal tactics earned him a reputation as a tyrant. In 217 CE, while campaigning in the East, Caracalla was assassinated by one of his own soldiers, a conspiracy reportedly orchestrated by the Praetorian Prefect, Macrinus, who would succeed him as emperor.

One of the most enduring legacies of Caracalla’s reign is the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, a massive public bathing complex that remains one of the largest and most impressive examples of Roman engineering and architecture. The baths were built between 211 and 216 CE and symbolized the grandeur of the empire during his reign.

Caracalla’s reign is often remembered for its violence, his centralization of power through ruthless means, and his attempts to bolster the military and unify the empire through citizenship reforms. However, his brutality and heavy-handed approach left a mixed legacy, contributing to the instability of the Severan dynasty and the ongoing challenges faced by the Roman Empire.