The life of Carinus
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Marcus Aurelius Carinus
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Carinus (as Caesar) Caesar Marcus Aurelius Carinus Augustus (as Emperor) Unknown July, 285 AD - River Margus Assassinated 283 AD – 285 AD (2 years) Caran Carus Diocletian |
Early Life & Reign (?-285)
The early life of Carinus is virtually unknown. The year or place of his birth has not been recorded in history, it is only known he was the eldest of Emperor Carus' two sons, the other being Numerian. Carinus and his brother Numerian were granted the title of Caesar by their father as soon as he became Roman Emperor in 282. This effectively made the two brothers junior Emperors.
While Carus and Numerian ventured to the East to wage war on the barbarians tribes and Sassanids bordering the Roman Empire, Carinus stayed in the West where he was charged with maintaining order. Carinus briefly begun a campaign in the region surrounding the Rhine where he saw some success fighting against the Quadi tribes. Before long he was satisfied with his progress and left the situation in control of his generals while he returned to Rome.
His father Carus unexpectedly died while on his campaign in the east, possibly due to natural causes during a particularly violent storm. With their father's death, Carus and Numerian assumed the full position of Emperors of Rome. Numerian turned the army in the East around in order to head back to Roman territory, but before they could reach it, Numerian was discovered dead, leaving only Carinus to rule the Roman Empire.
Diocletian, who had accompanied Numerian to the East as commander of his personal guard, was declared Emperor by the army in the East. It's unknown if Diocletian had anything to do with Numerian's death, he himself declared it was an assassination but not by his own doing. Carinus immediately left Rome and headed east with an army to confront Diocletian before he could gather any momentum.
While Carus and Numerian ventured to the East to wage war on the barbarians tribes and Sassanids bordering the Roman Empire, Carinus stayed in the West where he was charged with maintaining order. Carinus briefly begun a campaign in the region surrounding the Rhine where he saw some success fighting against the Quadi tribes. Before long he was satisfied with his progress and left the situation in control of his generals while he returned to Rome.
His father Carus unexpectedly died while on his campaign in the east, possibly due to natural causes during a particularly violent storm. With their father's death, Carus and Numerian assumed the full position of Emperors of Rome. Numerian turned the army in the East around in order to head back to Roman territory, but before they could reach it, Numerian was discovered dead, leaving only Carinus to rule the Roman Empire.
Diocletian, who had accompanied Numerian to the East as commander of his personal guard, was declared Emperor by the army in the East. It's unknown if Diocletian had anything to do with Numerian's death, he himself declared it was an assassination but not by his own doing. Carinus immediately left Rome and headed east with an army to confront Diocletian before he could gather any momentum.
Death & Legacy (285)
Carinus and Diocletian eventually met in a skirmish known as the Battle of Margus River. It is unknown exactly what happened during this battle, but Carinus was killed, either by one of his own officers or in combat against Diocletian's forces. With Carinus dead and his reign ended, Diocletian was free to claim the imperial throne unopposed.
A damnatio memoriae was undertaken against Carinus after his death, removing his name and image from as many works of literature and art as possible while also destroying statues of him.
A damnatio memoriae was undertaken against Carinus after his death, removing his name and image from as many works of literature and art as possible while also destroying statues of him.
Trivia
- Carinus is regarded as one of the worst Roman Emperors.
- According to the Historia Augusta Carinus married 9 times.