Owner Comments:
Born in the rural fringes of the Empire, Macrinus (ca. 165 – 218 AD) grew up studying law and aspiring to make it big in the Eternal City. To that end, the ambitious young Macrinus tried his lot in Rome, and managed to land a job working under a man named Plautianus. It was a fantastic career opportunity since Plautianus hailed from the patrician, or aristocratic class, whereas Macrinus himself belonged to the lower, so-called equestrian class. The prospects for the future surged even more when Plautianus rose to Praetorian Guard commander; Macrinus now belonged to Augustus Septimus Severus’ court.
While Macrinus was presumably excited about his meteoric career trajectory, taking on his new responsibilities also meant taken on serious risk. The situation turned particularly precarious when Severus’ eldest son, the impetuous Caracalla, had Plautianus killed on suspicion of treason. Following Roman tradition, the rampage could easily have extended to Plautianus’ associates, including Macrinus himself, if not for the fortunate intercession of another patrician close to the Severans. Having dodged the sling missile, Macrinus doubled his efforts to prove useful and promote himself within the imperial court. By 217 AD when Severus died, Macrinus was entrusted enough to be named the imperial family’s financial advisor.
Shortly thereafter, Macrinus’ career once again took an unexpected and potentially hazardous turn - Caracalla murdered his brother Geta. The aftermath was extremely thorough this time, with widespread execution of Geta’s supporters, servants, courtiers, and even suspected Senatorial sympathizers. Probably because of his perceived impartiality and usefulness, Macrinus was not only spared, but also promoted (there were plenty of imperial job vacancies), this time to Praetorian Prefect.
Macrinus now held the unenviable responsibility for Caracalla’s personal safety, a daunting task full of hazards from all sides. Making matters worse, a respected soothsayer predicted that Macrinus would become the next Emperor, a reasonable prediction given the numerous previous Emperors killed and succeeded by their former employees. A message was sent to Caracalla with news of the new prophecy. Luckily, Macrinus had been delegated to sift through the imperial mail. Seeing the communication, he must have immediately realized his peril.
At that time, Macrinus was travelling in Syria as part of the imperial entourage. It was probably not coincidence, but rather due to Macrinus' machinations, that shortly thereafter Emperor Caracalla was murdered, while off the side of the road, caught with his pants down (literally, he was relieving himself). The perpetrator, a disaffected soldier passed up for promotion, was promptly killed, precluding any further investigation. Once again, a potentially dangerous situation turned into a promotion for Macrinus. The latter told the troops the news, and, just as prophesied, he was proclaimed as the next Augustus.
Word reached Rome, and the Senate confirmed the succession, making Macrinus the first Augustus from outside the patrician or senatorial classes. His reign was unusual in other ways. For instance, he decided that the denarius silver content, steadily reduced by his predecessors for decades, should now be increased substantially (from 51.5% to 58%). This denarius, struck in 217-218 AD is an example. The coin’s reverse displays the Roman goddess Salus, daughter of Asclepius, god of healing. According to mythology, she was responsible for feeding and care of Asclepius’ precious snakes. Therefore, she was associated with welfare of individuals, and the whole Roman Empire. In this depiction, she sits, feeding one of her fathers’ slithering sidekicks from a patera. Her casual posture - crossed legs, other hand resting on the chair - suggests comfort and confidence.
Macrinus, however, experienced neither comfort nor confidence in his new role as Roman Emperor. He attempted to counter the Persian’s advance into Mesopotamia (they were taking advantage of Caracalla’s demise), only to end the fight in a bloody draw, and only won the peace after promising an enormous bribe. To offset this cost, Macrinus rescinded the 50% military pay raise previously promised by Caracalla. The troops, already unimpressed with their new leader’s performance, were now seriously displeased.
Macrinus, realizing his unpopularity extended to the Senate and other Roman governmental offices, removed many of Caracalla’s previous appointees and replaced them with political outsiders. The Empire-wide overhaul was unprecedented; virtually every important province had new leadership.
Although such efforts helped Macrinus to maintain control of the Empire, fate once again turned on him, in the guise of Caracalla’s aunt, Julia Maesa. In 217 AD, Julia presented the troops her eldest grandson, Elagabalus, claiming he was Caracalla’s son and rightful heir to the throne. More importantly, she pledged to uphold Caracalla’s promised pay raise for the troops. Macrinus countered by declaring his son Diadumenian co-Augustus, and, with sudden if non-surprising change of heart, also promised a military pay raise. Macrinus’ last ditch effort was not very convincing, and the situation inevitably led to confrontation between troops favoring return to the days of Caracalla versus those loyal to the new Augustus. In the end, the latter deserted in droves, and Macrinus was captured and slain. A reign notable for “firsts” and non-traditional imperial policies had gone too far in neglecting the favor and loyalty of the Roman military.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Macrinus, 217-218 AD, AR Denarius (2.94 g, 19 mm), NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, Reverse: Salus seated left on high-backed chair, feeding from patera a serpent arising from altar and holding scepter, SALVS PVBLICA, Reference: RIC IV (part II), pg 11, #86.