After his ascension to power alongside his brother Geta, Caracalla had the younger heir murdered, assumed sole power, and removed all traces of his brother. The removal of Geta, however, made the new Emperor unpopular and led to his villainization. These actions were typical of the brutal personality of Caracalla, which matched his stern scowling face. He instituted a reign of terror, not seen in Rome for over a century. In the footsteps of his father, Caracalla once again increased the pay and power of the army. In order to meet the increasingly high financial demands, he bestowed Roman citizenship on all the free people of the Empire (thereby allowing him to tax them.) This mixed blessing was received well by the people and bought back some of his popularity. His most notable legacy is the Baths of Caracalla. Caracalla campaigned in the east, visiting cities and temples as he went and it was in Syria that he was murdered by the Praetorian Guard while visiting a shrine.

    

Caracalla, in the Central Montemartini Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the courtyard of Palazzo Valentini
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the Capitoline Museum's Hall of the Emperors
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the Capitoline Museum's Hall of the Emperors
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the Capitoline Museum's Hall of the Emperors
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the National Museum of Rome - Palazzo Massimo
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the National Museum of Rome - Palazzo Massimo
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the National Museum of Rome - Baths of Diocletian
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla or Geta, from around 211 AD, in the Hall of the Emperors of the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, in the Gallery of the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Bust of Caracalla, in the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla, around 211 AD, in the Hall of the Emperors of the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Caracalla or Geta, from around 211 AD, in the Hall of the Emperors of the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Bust of Caracalla, in the Hall of the Emperors of Palazzo Nuovo, in the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Bust of Caracalla, in the Hall of the Emperors of Palazzo Nuovo, in the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Bust of Caracalla, in the Hall of the Emperors of Palazzo Nuovo, in the Capitoline Museum
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Juvenile bust of Caracalla, from the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum, now in the National Museum of Rome, Terme di Diocleziano (Baths of Diocletian)
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Juvenile bust of Caracalla, from the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum, now in the National Museum of Rome, Terme di Diocleziano (Baths of Diocletian)
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Bust of Caracalla, from the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum, now in the National Museum of Rome, Terme di Diocleziano (Baths of Diocletian)
See all Caracalla photos.

    

Bust of Caracalla, from the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum, now in the National Museum of Rome, Terme di Diocleziano (Baths of Diocletian)
See all Caracalla photos.

• Had his brother's name and image erased from public records, including the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum and the Arch of the Money-Changers
• Restored the Pantheon
• Completed construction of the Baths of Caracalla in 216 AD.
• Constructed a branch of the Aqua Marcia named the Aqua Antoniniana, which ran over the Arch of Drusus to bring water to the Baths of Caracalla.

• My Caracalla photos