CARINUS (Marcus Aurelius), the eldest son of the Emperor Carus; born A.D. 249; associated, during the reign of his father, in the government of the empire with his brother Numerianus, A.D. 282, with the titles of CAESAR and PRINC. IVVENT. The following year, whilst his father and brother were engaged in hostilities with Persia, he remained to govern the western provinces, with the title of Imperator, without having yet that of Augustus. -- He made himself detested in Gaul and adjacent regions, by his excesses and cruelties. Carus dying in A.D. 283, Carinus took the title of Augustus whilst Numerianus assumed it in the East.-- A good general and a brave warrior he combated with success the barbarous nations of the North, who assailed the western empire at different times. Returning to Rome he conciliated the good will of her corrupt and degenerate inhabitants by the usual expedient of celebrating public shows which were of a superb description. Compelled to quit the capital and its luxuries, in order to march against the governor of Venetia, Sabinus Julianus, who, after the death of Numerianus, had assumed the imperial purple, Carinus gained victory, near Verona, over the usurper who lost his life in the conflict. He was equally successful in Maesia against Diocletian, whom the legions of the East, on the decease of Numerianus, had proclaimed Emperor. It was after having defeated that able commander in different rencounters, that Carinus gained the last battle he fought, near the village of Murge, in upper Maesia. -- At the sequel of that action he was assassinated by a tribune, whose wife he had violated, and who had in consequence watched some time for an opportunity of destroying him. He died A.D. 285, aged thirty-six years, having reigned alone one year.
In Carinus there was a rendezvous (so to speak), a gathering - of all vices, natural and acquired. He was a man who bore on his countenance the index of that pride and insolence which reigned within him. Ferocious in disposition, the slave of brutal passions, he rendered himself an object of execration and terror by his avarice and his exactions, by his acts of hateful violence, and his career of abandoned licentiousness. He loaded his subjects with taxes; drove from his presence the honest councillors assigned to him by his father, and in their room filled the court with the associates of his debaucheries, and the companions of his crimes. According to Vospicus, he had nine wives, several of whom he is said to have divorced, even whilst in a state of pregnancy by him.
On his coins he is styled M. AVR. CARINVS CAES.-CARINVS (or KARINVS) NOB. CAES.- Also IMP. C. M. AVR. CARINVS P.F. AVG.- Carinus and his brother Numerianus associated are called CARINVS ET NUMERIANUS AVGG.
On a marble, quoted by Gruter, Carinus is called Victoriosissimus ; because he overcame the barbarous tribes on the Rhine, the Quadi, the Sarmates; and slew the usurper julianus in battle with his own hand.
The bust of this emperor appears sometimes laureate, at others radiated, exhibiting either the lorica or the paludamentum. The medallions and other gold coins, as well as the silver, of Carinus are extremely rare. His bronze medallions are also for the most part of the highest rarity. The third brass are common.
The following are amongst the rarest and most remarkable of this emperor’s mint: -
Gold Medallions. – Rev. – VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM. Carus and Carinus standing opposite each other, crowned by Hercules and the Sun. Rev. – VICTORIAE AVGVSTI. Two Victories supporting a buckler. – see these respective legends. PAX AETERNE. Peace standing with olive branch and the hasta pura. – (See wood-cut above.)
Gold of common size. – FIDES MILITVM. Woman and two standards. – P.M. TRI. P. COS. The Emperor in a quadriga. – VICTORIA AVG. The Emperor crowned by Victory. – PRINCIPI IVVENTVT. Carinus in military habit, with spear and globe.
Silver – It is supposed there are no coins of Carinus in this metal. Mionnet alludes to a quinarius , but only as “douteux.”
Brass Medallions. – TRAIECTVS AVG. Pretorian galley. – SAECVLI FELICITAS. The four seasons. – See Mionnet.
Third Brass – IMP. CARINVS. Helmeted bust of Carinus, the right hand holding a horse by the bridle, a buckler on the left arm. –Rev. MAGNIA VRBICA. Head of Magnia Urbica, wife of Carinus.