The ancient historians say that Caracalla was affected by a disease in Germany and turned to Apollo Grannos. His visit to the deity is confirmed by an inscription from Ephesus. It lists, in chronological order, the location of visits paid to Emperors by an envoy (his name is lost). The list includes a sanctuary of Apollo Grannos at a point that fits 213 AD.
Inscription from Ephesus, listing places visited by an envoy to meet the Emperor.
SEG 17.505. From Keil 1956.The Celtic deity Grannos is documented throughout western Europe, through inscriptions. Important centers of his cult (typically a spa) were Phoebiana (Faimingen, near Ulm), Andesina (Grand, near Nancy) and perhaps Aachen (called Aquae Granni in the early Middle Ages). Unfortunately the inscription from Ephesus does not specify the location, so that it remains unclear which sanctuary Caracalla and the envoy visited.
Remains of the Temple of Apollo Grannos in Faimingen.
Photo: Wikimedia, Der Reisende.Another important spa was Aquae (Baden-Baden). Here the cult of Apollo Grannos is not documented. It may well have been Caracalla however who gave the town part of his name: Civitas Aurelia Aquensis. An inscription found in baths records Caracalla's generosity. It has been completed rather optimistically and dated to 213:
[Imp(erator)] CAES(ar) M(arcus) A[ur(elius)]
[Anto]NINVS PI[us Fe]
[lix Invi]CTVS AVG(ustus) [Parth(icus) max(imus)]
[Brit(annicus) m]AX(imus) GER[m(anicus) max(imus) pont(ifex)]
[max(imus)] TRIB(unicia) PO[t(estate) XVII co(n)sul IIII]
[pro]CO(n)S(ul) P(ater) [p(atriae) --- pro]
[libe]RALITA[te sua]
[rem]OTIS [saxis]
[baline]VM PE[rfecit]
[caldar]IA RES[tituit]
[et aba]CIS MAR[moreis]
EXOR[navit]Inscription from the baths in Baden-Baden.
HD023618.
