Macrinus
Ma-cri'nus, [Fr. Macrin, mfkitiN',] (M. Opelius
or Oi'iLius,). a Roman emperor, was born of obscure
parents in Mauritania in 164 A.n. He obtained the high
office of prefect of the praetorians under Caracalla. In
April, 217 A.D., he instigated the assassination of Caracalla,
and was proclaimed emperor by the army, whose
choice was confirmed by the senate. In the same year
he was defeated by the Parthians at Nisibis. He was
defeated near Antioch in June, 218, by the partisans of
Elagabalus, and put to death.
See Tillemont,
" Histoire des Empereurs;"
" Nouvelle Bicgraphie
Generale."
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（Ἀριστέας). An epic poet of Proconnesus, of whose life we have only fabulous accounts. His date is quite uncertain. He is represented as a magician, whose soul could leave and re-enter its body according to its pleasure. He was connected with the worship of Apollo, which he was said to have introduced at Metapontum. He wrote an epic poem on the Arimaspi (q.v.), in three books, from which the pseudoLonginus quotes. See Herod. iv. 13.
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Marcus Opellius Macrinus (ca. 165 – June 218), commonly known as Macrinus, was Roman Emperor from 217 to 218.
Macrinus was of Berber descent and the first emperor to become so without membership in the senatorial
class.[1]
Background and career
Born in Caesarea (modern Cherchell, Algeria) in the Roman province of Mauretania to an equestrian family,
Macrinus received an education which allowed him to ascend to the Roman political class. Over the years he
earned a reputation as a skilled lawyer. Under the emperor Septimius Severus he became an important
bureaucrat. Severus' successor Caracalla appointed him prefect of the Praetorian guard. While Macrinus likely
enjoyed the trust of Caracalla, this may have changed when, according to tradition, he was prophesied to
depose and succeed the emperor. Rumors spread regarding Macrinus' alleged desire to take the throne for
himself. Given Caracalla's tendency towards murdering political opponents, Macrinus probably feared for his
own safety should the emperor become aware of this prophecy. According to Dio, Caracalla had already taken
the step of re-assigning members of Macrinus' staff...
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A Roman emperor from April, A.D. 217, to June 218. Born of
humble parentage at the Mauretanian Caesarea, he became
praetorian praefect under Caracalla, whom he accompanied
against the Parthians, and whose death he procured, in order
that he might become his successor. As emperor he won
considerable popularity by the remission of certain oppressive
taxes, but suffering at Nisibis a defeat at the hands of the
Parthians, and losing the love of his soldiers by his severe
discipline, he was attacked by the forces who had proclaimed
Elagabalus as emperor and defeated by them. Escaping in
disguise, he was taken prisoner in Chalcedon and put to death.
His life has come down to us written by Capitolinus.
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