Geta
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- ANCIENT SOURCES: see Geta (sources)
- SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category: Geta (subject)
Publius Septimius Geta (189 – 211 CE) succeeded to his father, Septimius Severus in 211. He was murdered in the same year.
Overview
Geta, the youngerson of Septimius Severus succeeded to his father in 211 CE, as co – heir together with his elder brother Caracalla. He was murdered soon afterwards.
Early Career
Lucius Septimius Geta was born at in 189 CE in Rome, the younger son of Septimius Severus and of Julia Domna. His father the future emperor Septimius Severus, who stemmed from an equestrian family of African origin, had been elevated to the Senatorial rank by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. His mother Julia Domna was the daughter of Julius Bassianus, the high priest of the sun god of Emesa. Lucius Septimius Bassianus, his elder brother was born in 188 CE. Together with his older brother Caracalla, Geta followed his father in the expedition in Britain.
Imperial Succession
On his deathbed at Eboracum in 211 CE, Septimius Severus had his elder son Caracalla acclaimed emperor by the army, together with his younger brother Geta. After various squabbles with his brother, Geta was murdered in the hands of his mother Julia Domna. After the assassination, Caracalla ordered the Senate to declare a damnatio memoriae for his brother.