The Ancients – Episode: Caracalla & Geta: The Real Emperors of Gladiator II

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Ancients
• Host: Tristan Hughes
• Guest: Dr. Alex Imri, University of Edinburgh
• Release Date: November 14, 2024
• Topic: The lives, rivalry, and reign of Roman Emperors Caracalla and Geta, paralleling their depiction in the upcoming film Gladiator II.

Introduction

In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes delves into the tumultuous lives of Roman Emperors Caracalla and Geta, whose fraternal conflict inspired the characters in Gladiator II. Joined by Dr. Alex Imri from the University of Edinburgh, the discussion unpacks the historical accuracy behind the film’s portrayal and explores the intricate dynamics of power, family, and betrayal in early 3rd century Rome.

Background on Caracalla and Geta

[01:26] Tristan Hughes:
Tristan sets the stage by introducing Caracalla and Geta as the young sons of Emperor Septimius Severus. Born merely eleven months apart—in 188 AD and 189 AD—they were raised in luxury, yet their deep-seated hatred for each other was a ticking time bomb.

[07:02] Dr. Alex Imri:
Dr. Imri provides historical context, explaining that Caracalla and Geta were born into a Rome nearing the end of the Antonine era, a period characterized by stability and peaceful transitions of power. Their father, Severus, initially governing as a provincial governor before seizing the imperial throne in 193 AD, played a pivotal role in their upbringing.

Sources Shaping Their History

[07:33] Dr. Alex Imri:
Dr. Imri discusses the primary sources for understanding Caracalla and Geta:

• Cassius Dio: A contemporary senator with a notably negative view of the Severan rulers, offering limited insights into Geta.
• Herodian: Writing slightly later, providing more personality traits of Geta and emphasizing the brothers' mutual animosity.
• Historia Augusta: A later collection of biographies with questionable reliability, presenting dramatized and often fictionalized accounts of their lives.

[09:44] Tristan Hughes:
Tristan highlights the challenge historians face in distinguishing fact from fiction within these sources.

Severus’ Rise to Power and Its Impact

[10:03] Dr. Alex Imri:
Severus’ ascent from governor to emperor involved defeating rivals like Pertinax and Didius Julianus swiftly, demonstrating his military prowess. This period of civil war (193 AD) set the foundation for the Severan dynasty, with Caracalla being elevated as Caesar in 195 AD to solidify succession—a move that inadvertently ignited further conflict.

[16:21] Tristan Hughes:
Tristan draws attention to the precariousness of Severus’ position and how his sons, especially Caracalla, were leveraged to strengthen his hold over the empire.

Caracalla and Geta Under Severus’ Rule

[22:48] Dr. Alex Imri:
Under Severus, Caracalla was primarily groomed for military leadership, becoming Augustus in 198 AD and leading campaigns in Britain. In contrast, Geta was sidelined, given minimal roles until his elevation to Augustus in 209 AD, which only intensified the brothers' rivalry.

[29:03] Dr. Alex Imri:
The titles of Caesar and Augustus became formalized, with Caracalla sharing power with his father, mirroring the joint rule seen in earlier imperial history. This move was part of Severus’ strategy to link his family with the revered Antonine dynasty, enhancing their legitimacy.

Growing Rivalry and Julia Domna’s Influence

[32:04] Dr. Alex Imri:
As Severus’ reign progressed, Caracalla and Geta’s relationship deteriorated. Their rivalry became public, fueled by their entourages and natural adolescent tensions. Julia Domna, their mother, emerged as a stabilizing force, attempting to mediate between her sons.

[40:58] Dr. Alex Imri:
Dr. Imri elaborates on Julia Domna’s pivotal role, portraying her as a voice of reason who sought to maintain harmony within the imperial family. However, literary sources like the Historia Augusta paint her in a more manipulative light, highlighting the discrepancies between historical records.

Severus’ Campaign in Britain

[37:10] Dr. Alex Imri:
Severus embarked on a massive military campaign in Britain, ostensibly to quell frontier troubles but also to remove his sons from Rome’s decadent environment. This expedition aimed to instill military discipline in Caracalla and Geta, albeit with limited success.

[38:14] Dr. Alex Imri:
In Britain, Caracalla took on military leadership roles, while Geta remained more administrative. The campaign, lasting from 208 to 211 AD, did little to mend their strained relationship and set the stage for future conflict.

The Death of Severus and the Fracturing of the Severan House

[45:36] Tristan Hughes:
As the British campaign stagnated, Severus’ death in 211 AD triggered an immediate power struggle between Caracalla and Geta.

[45:52] Dr. Alex Imri:
With Severus deceased, the brothers quickly concluded the British campaign and raced back to Rome. The absence of their father removed the external stabilizing influence, allowing their mutual animosity to surface.

The Climactic Fratricide: Caracalla Kills Geta

[49:51] Dr. Alex Imri:
The rivalry culminated in the notorious fratricide of Geta. According to Herodian, Caracalla personally murdered Geta in their mother Julia Domna’s presence, driven by uncontrollable rage. Cassius Dio offers a slightly different account, involving centurions from the Praetorian Guard executing Geta during a forced reconciliation meeting orchestrated by Julia Domna.

[51:28] Dr. Alex Imri:
Dio’s account emphasizes the brutality of the act, portraying Geta’s desperate plea for his life while being slain, highlighting the personal and political tragedy of the event.

Aftermath: Damnatio Memoriae and Consolidation of Power

[53:53] Dr. Alex Imri:
Following Geta’s murder, Caracalla initiated damnatio memoriae against his brother—a vilification and erasure of Geta’s memory from public records and monuments. Dr. Imri describes this as one of the most severe examples during the Roman Empire, with statues defaced and inscriptions removed to erase Geta’s legacy.

[57:44] Dr. Alex Imri:
Dr. Imri cites the Berlin Tondo as a prime example, where Geta’s visage was meticulously obliterated, symbolizing his complete denunciation and the consolidation of Caracalla’s sole rule.

Conclusion and Connection to Gladiator II

[58:33] Tristan Hughes:
Tristan wraps up the episode by acknowledging the dramatic and tragic nature of Caracalla and Geta’s story, setting the stage for future discussions on Caracalla’s sole reign and his eventual downfall.

[58:00] Dr. Alex Imri:
Expresses enthusiasm for ongoing explorations into Caracalla’s rule and his impact on Roman history.

[59:15] Tristan Hughes:
Encourages listeners to follow the podcast for future episodes, including the exploration of Macrinus, another key figure depicted in Gladiator II.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Alex Imri on Severus’ Manipulation of Titles:
  "He retroactively adopts the entire Severan family into the Antonine household...to attach his regime to all of the best and all of the best-liked facets of Roman imperial history."
  [21:14]

• Dr. Alex Imri on Julia Domna’s Role:
  "Julia is the voice of reason, trying to bring her sons together after Severus dies."
  [40:42]

• Dr. Alex Imri on Damnatio Memoriae:
  "It's a deliberate act designed to make people remember that this person is condemned and is damned for eternity."
  [53:53]

Final Thoughts

Dr. Alex Imri’s insightful analysis illuminates the complex relationship between Caracalla and Geta, underscored by political maneuvering, familial duty, and personal animosity. The episode effectively bridges historical facts with their cinematic representation in Gladiator II, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of these enigmatic emperors and the deadly consequences of their rivalry.

Tune in next time as Dr. Imri and guest Matilda MacDonald Brown continue the saga of Caracalla, exploring his sole reign and the subsequent rise of Macrinus, another pivotal figure in Rome's imperial history.

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