★ A WONDERFUL PORTRAIT OF EXCELLENT STYLE ★

SELEUCIS and PIERIA. Laodicea ad Mare. Macrinus.(217-218). Tetradrachm.

Obv : AYT K M OΠ CЄOY MAKPЄINOC CЄB.
Laureate head right.

Rev : ΔHMAPX ЄΞ YΠATOC Π Π.
Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; star between legs.
Prieur 1180.
EX BIGA.

Condition : The coin is in good condition with well-preserved details on both sides. The surface has a light silver-gray patina, indicative of its age, and gives it a slightly muted appearance. The patina adds a layer of historical character, enhancing its collectible value. The inscriptions and reliefs remain clear and sharp, with only minimal wear visible along the edges.Very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 12.83 gr
Diameter : 24 mm

Macrinus, born Marcus Opellius Macrinus around 165 AD, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 217 to 218 AD. His rise to power was unusual, as he was the first Roman emperor who did not come from the senatorial class or have any connection to the imperial family. Macrinus was of equestrian rank, the lower aristocracy in Roman society, and hailed from Mauretania (modern-day Algeria). His ascent to the throne was largely due to his political and military career, particularly his role as praetorian prefect, the commander of the emperor’s personal guard.

Macrinus’ path to the imperial throne began during the reign of the emperor Caracalla, the son of Septimius Severus. Caracalla, known for his brutal rule and unpredictable behavior, had appointed Macrinus as praetorian prefect, one of the highest-ranking positions in the Roman administration. This put Macrinus in charge of the imperial guard and close to the emperor, giving him significant influence within the government and military.

In 217 AD, while on campaign against the Parthians in the eastern provinces, Caracalla was assassinated, and evidence suggests that Macrinus played a key role in the plot to remove him. After Caracalla's death, Macrinus was declared emperor by the army, despite not having any dynastic connection to the Severan line. His quick rise to power was largely a reflection of the army's dissatisfaction with Caracalla's reign and Macrinus’ ability to command their loyalty.

Macrinus inherited a volatile situation. Caracalla had left the empire in a state of financial strain due to his excessive military spending and costly wars. One of Macrinus’ first actions as emperor was to try to resolve the conflict with the Parthians, which had been initiated by Caracalla. Macrinus negotiated a peace treaty with the Parthians, but it came at a high cost to the Roman treasury, as he agreed to pay a large indemnity to end the war. This decision, though practical, was seen by many in Rome as a sign of weakness and harmed his reputation.

Macrinus also faced challenges within the Roman military. Caracalla had won the favor of the soldiers by granting them generous pay raises and privileges, which had placed a tremendous burden on the Roman economy. In an effort to restore financial stability, Macrinus reduced military expenditures, which quickly made him unpopular with the legions. His reforms were viewed as a betrayal by the soldiers, many of whom had been loyal to Caracalla.

While Macrinus struggled to maintain control of the empire, a significant threat emerged from within the Severan family. Julia Maesa, the sister of the late empress Julia Domna and grandmother of Elagabalus, began plotting to overthrow Macrinus and place her grandson on the throne. In 218 AD, Elagabalus, who claimed to be the illegitimate son of Caracalla, was proclaimed emperor by the troops stationed in Syria. The revolt quickly gained momentum, as many soldiers defected to Elagabalus’ cause, seeing him as the rightful heir to Caracalla.

Macrinus attempted to suppress the rebellion, but his efforts were in vain. In June 218 AD, his forces were defeated in the Battle of Antioch, and Macrinus fled in an attempt to save his life. He was captured shortly afterward and executed by the forces of Elagabalus. His son, Diadumenian, who had been declared co-emperor during Macrinus’ reign, was also captured and killed.

Macrinus’ brief reign is often seen as a transitional period in Roman history. His rule lasted only a little over a year, and he was the first emperor from the equestrian class, breaking the long-standing tradition of emperors coming from the senatorial or imperial families. Despite his short tenure, Macrinus attempted to restore stability to the empire through financial reforms and diplomatic efforts. However, his lack of political support, the unpopularity of his military policies, and the strong loyalty many Romans had to the Severan dynasty ultimately led to his downfall.

In conclusion, Macrinus’ reign as emperor was marked by significant challenges, both internally and externally. His efforts to reform the empire’s finances and end costly wars were overshadowed by his unpopularity with the military and the political intrigue that surrounded his rise and fall. Though his time as emperor was short, Macrinus remains an interesting figure in Roman history for being an outsider who briefly seized control of one of the world’s greatest empires, only to be undone by the forces of loyalty to the Severan line and the military dissatisfaction with his rule.