Co-emperor Geta
Publius Septimius Geta was a Roman emperor who ruled jointly with his father Septimius Severus as well as his older brother named Caracalla, for a period of two years, beginning in the year 209 AD until his death in 211 AD.
Geta was born on March 7th, 189 AD to Severus and his second wife, Julia Domna. The younger son in the family, Geta's birthplace is officially recorded as Rome and at the time of his birth, his father was assigned to the post of provincial governor under the service of the then emperor, Commodus.
From a very early age, Geta was always in direct competition against his elder brother Caracalla. He was often compared unfavourably to his elder brother and he no doubt felt some measure of resentment for most of his childhood. Conflicts often broke out between the two siblings, and their mother Julia was always called upon to make peace between them.
Septimius Severus was possibly well aware of the difficulties that his younger son was facing and this probably had a great deal to do with his bestowing the title of Augustus on Geta in the year 209 AD. Rome at the time was deep in the midst of a campaign against Britain and all official accounts of the family pictured a benevolent relationship with everyone sharing power equally.
Nothing could be further from the truth however, and the imperial propaganda failed to accurately depict the conflict that had been ongoing between the two brothers, which in fact continued to grow. By this time each member of the family had been assigned their specific roles, Caracalla as the elder son was placed second in command to Septimius Severus, their mother Julia Domna was assigned the role of counselor and Septimius Geta was assigned the role of head of administrative and bureaucratic concerns.
The rift between the two brothers widened for several years, although they continued to work together in government. However, when Septimius Severus died in the year 211 AD the conflict intensified considerably. After marching to Rome and being declared joint emperors, Caracalla ordered that his brother be killed. Publius Septimius Geta died in December 211 AD.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 13/05/2008
