Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus

186 AD - Born on April 4th in Lugdunum, Gaul (now Lyon, France). Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher.

           - Also known as Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus.

193 AD - When he was seven years old, his name was changed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

           - Caracalla was a nickname taken from the name of a type of cloak popularized by the emperor, but this nickname, originally derisive, was never used officially.

200 AD - At the age of 14 he was married to the daughter of the praetorian prefect Plautianus Publia Fulvia Plautilla, but the teenager despised his wife.

211 AD - He was appointed as co-emperor with his brother Publius Septimius Antoninius Geta after his father died while touring the northern marches.

           - He ordered Geta's murder. The murder led to a wholesale slaughter of Geta's supporters and sympathizers, and soldiers were allowed to wreak havoc on the residents of Rome.

215 AD - Caracalla suspended plans to invade Parthia after Vologaeses handed over two political refugees, although Roman troops were sent into Armenia.

           - Caracalla made a notorious visit to Alexandria in the fall and winter.

216 AD - Led his troops into Mesopotamia after being rebuffed in his request to marry the daughter of Artabanus.

217 AD - Died on April 8th near Harran at the age of 31.

           - The returning guards claimed the emperor was ambushed while defecating, and that the alleged assassin was one of their own, a soldier named Martialis. Martialis was himself killed by the avenging guards.