Reign of Caracalla, 198–217

Caracalla was elevated as co-emperor by Septimius Severus and became sole ruler after arranging the murder of his brother Geta in 211. The transition was followed by a wide purge of Geta’s supporters and a court culture shaped by military favour, suspicion and personal violence.

His government increased soldiers’ pay, extended Roman citizenship widely through the Constitutio Antoniniana and pursued campaigns in Germania and the east. Caracalla’s movements carried the imperial household, praetorian command and intelligence networks across the empire.

Alex Gough’s Imperial Assassin series follows Silus and the Arcani through this reign, using Caracalla’s court and campaigns to explore loyalty, surveillance and the moral consequences of serving an emperor.