On this day 4 April A.D. 188: the Roman Emperor Caracalla was born. Caracalla was the eldest son of Septimius Severus ruling jointly with his father from A.D. 198 until Severus’s death in 211. Caracalla is best remembered for the massacres and persecutions that occurred during his reign.

4 days after his 29th birthday Caracalla who was travelling to Edessa to continue his campaign in Parthia the emperor was assassinated whilst relieving himself at a roadside in southern Turkey. He was succeeded by the prefect of his praetorian guard Macrinus who some believe was probably responsible for Caracalla’s assassination.