18.  Caracal’la and Ge’ta, his sons, being acknowledged as emperors by the army, began to show a mutual hatred to each other, even before their arrival at Rome.  But this opposition was of no long continuance; for Caracal’la, being resolved to govern alone, furiously entered Ge’ta’s apartment, and, followed by ruffians, slew him in his mother’s arms. 19.  Being thus sole emperor, he went on to mark his course with blood.  Whatever was done by Domi’tian or Ne’ro, fell short of this monster’s barbarities.[2]

[Illustration:  Massacre of the Alexandrians.]

20.  His tyrannies at length excited the resentment of Macri’nus, the commander of the forces in Mesopota’mia who employed one Mar’tial, a man of great strength, and a centurion of the guards, to dispatch him. 21.  Accordingly, as the emperor was riding out one day, near a little city called Carrae, he happened to withdraw himself privately, upon a natural occasion, with only one page to hold his horse.  This was the opportunity Mar’tial had so long and ardently desired:  when, running to him hastily, as if he had been called, he stabbed the emperor in the back, and killed him instantly. 22.  Having performed this hardy attempt, he, with apparent unconcern, returned to his troop; but, retiring by insensible degrees, he endeavoured to secure himself by flight.  His companions, however, soon missing him, and the page giving information of what had been done, he was pursued by the German horse, and cut in pieces.

23.  During the reign of this execrable tyrant, which continued six years, the empire was every day declining; the soldiers were entirely masters of every election; and as there were various armies in different parts, so there were as many interests opposed to each other.

[Sidenote:  U.C.970 A.D.217]

24.  The soldiers, after remaining without an emperor two days, fixed upon Macri’nus, who took all possible methods to conceal his being privy to Caracal’la’s murder.  The senate confirmed their choice shortly after; and likewise that of his son, Diadumenia’nus, whom he took as partner in the empire. 25.  Macri’nus was fifty-three years old when he entered upon the government.  He was of obscure parentage; some say by birth a Moor, who, by the mere gradation of office, being made first prefect of the praetorian bands, was now, by treason and accident, called to fill the throne.

26.  He was opposed by the intrigues of Mosa, and her grandson Heliogaba’lus; and being conquered by some seditious legions of his own army, he fled to Chalcedon,[3] where those who were sent in pursuit overtook him, and put him to death, together with his son Diadumenia’nus, after a short reign of one year and two months.

[Sidenote:  U.C.971 A.D.218]