The rivalry between Caracalla and Geta continued after the funeral of Septimius Severus. The brothers even contemplated the dividing of the Empire. It all resulted in the killing of Geta by soldiers in the palace, in the presence of their mother. The ancient historians present Geta as an innocent victim, but he may well have been conspiring against his brother, perhaps with the exiled Plautilla.
Geta was still alive on 17 December 211 AD, a date that can be deduced from Dio's statement that Caracalla wanted to kill him during the Saturnalia, but could not (Dio 77,2,1). On 28 March 212 AD Caracalla is mentioned as sole Emperor in a papyrus from Antinoopolis in Egypt (P.Flor. III 318 + P.Lond. III 1164 a, line 19).
The date of the killing is not entirely certain. For a long time it was thought to have been February 27 212 AD. Timothy Barnes then adduced new evidence, so that late December 211 AD seems more likely (for the calculations see Barnes 1968, 521-525). On the other hand, a dedication by the fire fighters (vigiles) of Rome for the well-being and safety of Caracalla (pro salute et incolumitate) is dated April 11 212 AD (EDR105660), which then seems rather late.
The killing of Geta, painted by Jacques Pajou (1766-1828). Caracalla is to the right.
Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Germany. Photo: Wikimedia, José Luiz.The killing of Geta was followed by damnatio memoriae: depictions of Geta were removed and his name was erased from inscriptions. The most famous example is the tondo with portraits of Septimius Severus, Julia Domna, Geta and Caracalla in the Antikensammlung in Berlin. It was found at an unknown location in Egypt. Geta's portrait was removed. In some cities in Asia Minor Geta's portrait was even erased on coins from the local mint.
The Severan tondo with Geta's erased portrait.
Antikensammlung, Berlin. Photo: Wikimedia, Sailko.
Bust of Geta in the Louvre.
Photo: Wikimedia, Marie-Lan Nguyen.
