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Roman Empire

Ruler: Geta Caesar under Septimius Severus and Caracalla
Reigned: Caesar 198-209 AD: Augustus 209-212 AD
Denomination: AR Denarius
Date of Issue: 200-202 AD
Obverse: Boy's draped bust right "P. SEPT. GETA CAES. PONT."[1]
Reverse: Geta standing left, sacrificing over altar tripod. "VOTA PVBLICA"[2]
Reference: RSC 231, RIC 24
Weight: 2.8 gms
Diameter: 19.4 mm
Comment: [1] = "PVBLIVS SEPTIMIVS GETA CAESAR PONTIFEX"
[2] = "VOTA PVBLICA" = Public or state ritual (votive)

GETA (Publius Septimius Geta)

  • Publius Septimius Geta was the younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, born 27th May 189 A.D.
  • He was made Caesar in 198, at the same time as his brother, Caracalla was made Augustus.
  • He accompanied his Father and Brother, Caracalla, on an expedition to England in 208.
  • When his father, Septimius Severus, died in at York 211, Geta became joint emperor with his older brother, Caracalla.
  • There had always been rivalry between Caracalla and Geta and one of them had to go. Both tried poison. Splitting the Empire in two was discussed.
  • In late December in 211, Caracalla managed to find a moment when he was alone with his brother and mother and seized the opportunity to murder Geta. when they were both together with Julia Domna. Geta expired on his mother's breast.

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