Thread by @DocCrom

Ancient Coin of the Day: As today marks the beginning of the end of his reign, a quick look at some of the coins of the Roman Emperor Macrinus! #ACOTD #Numismatics #Macrinus 🧵

Image: RIC IV Macrinus 50c; Münzkabinett Berlin (18277254). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.…

Marcus Opellius Macrinus briefly reigned as Roman Emperor in AD 217-218, following the murder of his predecessor Caracalla. Indeed, Macrinus - the Praetorian Prefect - was alleged to have had been the instigator of the conspiracy against Caracalla.

He was also the first emperor not drawn from the senatorial class and, given the issues of his brief reign, never had the opportunity to visit Rome.

However, Macrinus did come to power with the advantage of having a son, Diadumenian, whom he consistently presented in order to give the appearance of a stable ready-made dynasty.

Image: RIC IV Macrinus 101; Münzkabinett Berlin (18200735). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.…

The Obverse of our original coin shows a laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus, which has always struck me for the realism of the depiction. The Legend – IMP CM OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG – renders his regnal name, ‘Emperor Caesar Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus’.

Notable here is the adoption of the name 'Severus', as a means of suggesting his legitimacy, linking himself with Septimius Severus – an odd decision if he were also the instigator of the assassination of that man's son.

The Reverse is rather splendid, showing a winged Victory – bearing a diadem and flanked by shields. The Legend is emphatic: VICT PART P M TR P II COS II P P – ‘On the Parthian Victory; Pontifex Maximus, with Tribunician Power, Consul for the second time, Father of the Nation’.

This message, however, is an ill-judged attempt at saving face, given the heavy defeat Macrinus suffered to the Parthian ruler Artabanus V at the Battle of Nisbis in AD 217.

Indeed, the military styling of Macrinus’ coins seems to suggest that it was his constant requirement to maintain the association with and loyalty of his troops.

Image: RIC IV Macrinus 47b; Münzkabinett Berlin (18200274). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.…

However, Macrinus could not maintain the loyalty of his troops – not aided by his implementing fiscal policies that affected the army's pay: a loss of ‘fides’ that cost him dear.

Image: RIC IV Macrinus 22; British Museum (1867,0101.780). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.…

The rise of Elagabalus, aided by the ambitions of his mother Julia Maesa, brought Macrinus’ short reign to an end, following his defeat at the Battle of Antioch on 8 June AD 218.

Following this both Macrinus and Diadumenian fell victim to ‘damnatio memoriae’, as their reputations were sullied in the aftermath of Elagabalus’ confirmation as emperor.

For more on this, see:

Wood, Susan. “A Too-Successful Damnatio Memoriae: Problems in Third Century Roman Portraiture.” American Journal of Archaeology 87, no. 4 (1983): 489–96.
doi.org/10.2307/504107

#ACOTD #Numismatics #Macrinus 🧵