officially Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus orig. Septimius Bassianus
born April 4, AD188, Lugdunum [Lyon], Gaul
died April 8, 217, near Carrhae, Mesopotamia
Roman emperor (198–217).
He was nicknamed Caracalla for a Gallic cloak he allegedly designed. Until 211 he ruled with his father, prefect . He is regarded as one of Rome's most bloodthirsty tyrants, and his reign contributed to the empire's decay.