Macrinus ● First emperor not senatorial rank ○ Praetorian Prefect ○ Imperial guard ● Proclaimed emperor after Caracalla’s death ○ Using his army ● First non-senator to become emperor ○ Shock to Roman elite tradition Military administration ● Reverse on Caracalla’ military ○ Cut soldier’s pay ○ Unpopular in army ● Peace offering with Parthia ○ No more costly campaigns ● Sought to be more moderate and reformist ● Weak ligament ○ No military background no dynastic claim ○ Opposition placed ■ Supporters of Severan dynasty ● Caracalla’s aunt claimed Elagabalus was fair successor ● Supporter of Elagabalus defeated Macrinus’s force ○ Battle of Antioch (218CE) ○ Macrinus tired to flee but captured and killed ○ Son of Macrinus Diadumenian was also killed Aspect Details Social Class First equestrian emperor Military Loyalty failed to win over legions. Governance but lacked popular support. Short Reign Only ruled for ~14 months before being overthrown. Elagabalus ● Name after Syrian sun god ○ High priest ● Born in a priest family in Syria ● Grandson of Julia Maesa ○ Sister of Julia Donna ( wife of Severus ) ● Claimed to be the son of Caracalla to gain military support later defeats Macrinus using this army. ● Neglected affairs of state ● Alienated most government tools ○ Senate ○ Military ○ Traditional Elites ● Gave his friends powerful positions ● His grandmother had grew concern in his power(the one who gave him the throne) ○ Convinced army to support Severus Alexander ● 222CE Elagabalus has been assassinated ● Body thrown in Tiber river Nothing was really done politically with Elagabalus in throne ● No leagal or financial reform ○ Ignorance in governing ● Imposing cult god