Dio's Rome, Volume 6: An Historical Narrative Originally Composed in Greek During the Reigns of Septimius Severus, Geta and Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus: And Now Presented in English Form
1914
Dio's Rome, Volume 6: An Historical Narrative Originally Composed in Greek During the Reigns of Septimius Severus, Geta and Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus: And Now Presented in English Form
1914
Translated by Herbert Baldwin Foster
A historical narrative originally composed in Greek during the reigns of several Roman emperors, including Septimius Severus and Caracalla. Written in the early 20th century, this volume covers key events from A.D. 211 to 229, focusing primarily on the tumultuous and violent reign of Emperor Caracalla, including his infamous assassination of his brother Geta and subsequent reign of terror. The book presents a detailed account of Caracalla's cruelty, military campaigns, and the politics of the time, offering insights into the nature of power and tyranny in ancient Rome. The opening portion of the text details the early reign of Caracalla, highlighting his immediate consolidation of power through the assassination of his brother Geta. The narrative illustrates the brutal nature of Caracalla's rule, with vivid examples of his cruelty towards political rivals and innocent citizens alike, leading to widespread fear and bloodshed. Dio emphasizes Caracalla’s erratic behavior, military pretensions, and the dark political landscape of the time, where loyalty was precarious and betrayal was common. The imposition of tyranny, the military campaigns against various foes, and Caracalla’s obsession with imitating figures like Alexander the Great are integral themes that set the tone for understanding this period of Roman history. This rich historical account provides an unsettling yet compelling exploration of the complexities of leadership and human behavior within the empire.
About Dio's Rome, Volume 6: An Historical Narrative Originally Composed in Greek During the Reigns of Septimius Severus, Geta and Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus: And Now Presented in English Form
Chapter Summaries
- 77
- Caracalla begins his sole rule by murdering his brother Geta and conducting a reign of terror. He emulates Alexander the Great while massacring citizens and squandering the treasury on military campaigns and spectacles.
- 78
- Macrinus orchestrates Caracalla's assassination and becomes emperor. Despite initial promise, he faces military challenges from the Parthians and growing opposition that will lead to his downfall.
- 79
- Julia Maesa's conspiracy elevates her grandson Avitus (Elagabalus) to power, leading to Macrinus's defeat and death. The new emperor begins his scandalous reign marked by religious innovation and sexual depravity.
Key Themes
- Tyranny and Absolute Power
- Dio extensively explores how unlimited imperial power corrupts absolutely, showing Caracalla's transformation from co-emperor to murderous tyrant. The theme demonstrates how unchecked authority leads to paranoia, cruelty, and the destruction of traditional Roman values and institutions.
- Family Destruction and Fratricide
- The murder of Geta by Caracalla represents the ultimate breakdown of family bonds under political pressure. This theme extends through the work as family members repeatedly betray, manipulate, and destroy each other in pursuit of power, showing how imperial ambition corrupts natural affections.
- The Decline of Roman Virtue
- Dio chronicles the abandonment of traditional Roman values like duty, honor, and moderation. Through characters like Elagabalus, he shows how foreign influences and luxury corrupted Roman character, leading to moral decay and political instability.
Characters
- Cassius Dio Cocceianus(protagonist)
- The historian and narrator of this work, a Roman senator who lived during the reigns of Septimius Severus through Alexander Severus. He provides firsthand accounts of political events and imperial court life.
- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Caracalla)(antagonist)
- Roman Emperor known for his extreme cruelty, fratricide, and tyrannical rule. He murdered his brother Geta and terrorized the Roman people through mass executions and arbitrary violence.
- Publius Septimius Geta(major)
- Younger brother of Caracalla, co-emperor who was murdered by his brother in their mother's arms. His death marked the beginning of Caracalla's most tyrannical period.
- Julia Domna(major)
- Syrian-born empress, mother of Caracalla and Geta. She witnessed her son's murder and later died by starvation, unable to cope with the loss and political turmoil.
- Macrinus(major)
- Moorish prefect who assassinated Caracalla and briefly became emperor. Despite initial promise, he was overthrown by the False Antoninus after ruling for only fourteen months.
- Avitus (False Antoninus/Elagabalus)(antagonist)
- Syrian youth proclaimed emperor by his grandmother's conspiracy, known for extreme sexual depravity, religious innovations, and complete abandonment of Roman traditions.
