MACRINUS

born c. 164, Caesarea, Mauretania [now Cherchell, Algeria] died June 218, in Bithynia [now in Turkey] in full Caesar Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus, original name Marcus Opellius Macrinus Roman emperor in 217 and 218, the first man to rule the empire without having achieved senatorial status. His skills as a lawyer helped him to rise rapidly in an equestrian career (a step below the senatorial career in status) until he became a praetorian prefect under the emperor Caracalla (reigned 211217). Macrinus is alleged to have prompted the murder of Caracalla by an army officer in April 217, while the emperor was fighting the Parthians in what is now Iran. Three days after the assassination Macrinus was proclaimed emperor by his army. He fought an inconclusive battle with the Parthians and then agreed to a peace that was unfavourable to Rome. This decision cost him the support of his Syrian troops, who transferred their allegiance to Elagabalus, the son of a cousin of Caracalla. With his remaining forces Macrinus fled toward Italy. He was overtaken, defeated in a battle near Antioch (modern Antakya, Tur.), and subsequently captured and executed.