Publius septimius geta biography of christopher columbus
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This suggests that, at least in official representations, Geta sought to associate himself with divine favor and classical ideals of Roman leadership.
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Did you know…?
- Geta’s story has occasionally been referenced in literature, art, and cinema.
While Caracalla commanded the legions, his younger brother was given civilian authority in Britain.
Soon after Geta received the title "Augustus", his father's health began to deteriorate, and desperate pleas were made for his sons to get along. Geta, however, saw his authority as being truly equal to that of his brother, and the two were barely on speaking terms during the long trip back to Rome.
Once in the city, the situation did not improve.
During the civil wars that established Severus as emperor, Severus used the young Caracalla to solidify popular support by changing the older son's name to connect the boy to the Antonine dynasty, and by giving Caracalla the titles first of Caesar, then Augustus.
Caracalla was increasingly being treated as the successor, while Geta was being treated as the spare.
While historical accuracy in movies is often questionable, such portrayals help in keeping his memory alive in the public imagination.
Legacy and Historical Perspective
Despite his tragic fate, Geta remains a significant historical figure, largely because of the circumstances surrounding his murder and the political aftermath.
Upon their return to Rome, the situation worsened. Furthermore, the events surrounding his death illustrate the fragility of power and the brutal lengths to which emperors would go to secure their rule.
Although Caracalla attempted to erase Geta’s legacy, historians and archaeologists have been able to reconstruct much of his life through surviving coins, inscriptions, and literary sources.
After Severus’ death, he adopted a longer beard, emulating his father’s image.
Emperor Geta’s assassination is one of the most infamous cases of imperial fratricide, showcasing the deadly nature of Roman dynastic politics and power struggles.
Geta
Geta
Short Biography about the life of Geta
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Geta, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.
Name commonly known as: Geta
Latin Roman Name: Publius Septimius Geta
Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: February - December 211 Geta ruled with his older brother Caracalla
Dynasty / Historical Period: Severan
Place and Date of Birth: Born March 7, 189 in Rome
Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Geta was his father Septimius Severus
Geta jointly ruled with his older brother Caracalla
Family connections / Genealogy
*** Name of Father: Septimius Severus
Name of Mother: Julia Domna
Place and Date of Death: December 26, 211 (age 22) in Rome
Name of next Emperor: The successor to Geta was Caracalla
The Sons of Septimius Severus - Geta and Caracalla
Septimius Severus and his wife Julia Domna became the parents of two sons, Caracalla and Geta.
Cassius Dio recorded that as many as 19,000 people were killed in the aftermath, including members of the Senate, military officers, and even palace servants.
Geta died in his mother's arms.
Caracalla claimed that the murder came in response to Geta's plottings, and his brother's death started a bloody and violent purge of Caracalla's suspected enemies. At the time of his birth, his father was still a provincial governor under the rule of Emperor Commodus.
Geta was the younger brother of Caracalla, who was born in 188 AD, and the two grew up together under the watchful eyes of their ambitious father and politically astute mother.
However, neither Caracalla nor Geta showed themselves capable of any serious study or employment, and were chiefly remarkable for the hatred they bore toward each other. Septimius Severus hoped that they would both prove worthy of the high office to which they were born. On January 28, 198 AD, Geta was elevated to the status of Caesar, marking him as a junior co-emperor under his father.
However, the reality was far from what he had hoped.
Even before reaching Rome, the relationship between the two brothers deteriorated rapidly. However, this explanation was met with skepticism, as Geta had always been perceived as the less aggressive of the two brothers.
“Geta Dying in His Mother’s Arms”, a painting by French artist Jacques-Augustin-Catherine Pajou.
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Damnatio Memoriae and the Erasure of Geta
After the murder, Caracalla ordered a damnatio memoriae against Geta, a decree meant to erase his existence from Roman history.
Then, as Geta arrived unarmed and unguarded, several centurions of Caracalla's guard broke through the door and cut him down. Today, he is often remembered as the “forgotten emperor”, overshadowed by the more infamous reign of his brother.
- 7 March 189 AD – Geta is born in Rome or Mediolanum to Septimius Severus and Julia Domna.
- 28 January 198 AD – Raised to the rank of Caesar while his father rules as emperor.
- 209 AD – Declared Augustus, officially making him co-emperor alongside his father and brother, Caracalla.
- 4 February 211 AD – Septimius Severus dies in Eboracum (York); Geta and Caracalla become joint rulers.
- Mid-211 AD – Tensions escalate between the brothers, leading to failed attempts at governance.
- 17 December 211 AD – Caracalla attempts to assassinate Geta during Saturnalia but fails.
- 26 December 211 AD – Geta is murdered in Julia Domna’s arms, orchestrated by Caracalla.
- Post-211 AD – Caracalla enforces damnatio memoriae, erasing Geta’s legacy from inscriptions and images.
How did Geta become emperor?
He was made Caesar in 198 AD and later elevated to Augustus in 209 AD by his father, making him a co-emperor alongside Caracalla.
Why did Geta and Caracalla struggle to rule together?
The brothers had a deep rivalry and refused to cooperate.
They even divided the Imperial Palace in Rome, ruling separately while avoiding each other.
How was Geta assassinated?
Caracalla lured Geta into their mother’s private chambers under the pretense of peace talks, then had him murdered by centurions in her arms on December 26, 211 AD.
What was the impact of Geta’s murder?
Caracalla ordered a damnatio memoriae, erasing Geta’s name from history, and executed around 20,000 of his supporters to eliminate opposition.
What remains of Geta’s legacy?
Few portraits survive due to his memory being erased, but Roman coins and some inscriptions provide insight into his rule and image.
How was Geta represented in Roman art?
Before his death, he was depicted with a laurel wreath as Augustus.