Dr. Alex Imrie

He seems to go on campaign with his father in the year 208-209. And in 210, when Severus, it seems, is becoming increasingly ill and physically unable to lead a force himself, Caracalla seems to be handed the mantle of command and takes an expeditionary force into what is now modern-day Scotland. So he's very much the military one of the pair.

Geta, by contrast, seems to be getting trained, at least, in a much more administrative capacity. From all accounts, we don't get a sense that Geta ever leaves the imperial headquarters at Ibarakum in modern York. This situation is complicated, of course, though. It's never just as simple as that, because Severus does something else when the family's over in Britain.

Geta, by contrast, seems to be getting trained, at least, in a much more administrative capacity. From all accounts, we don't get a sense that Geta ever leaves the imperial headquarters at Ibarakum in modern York. This situation is complicated, of course, though. It's never just as simple as that, because Severus does something else when the family's over in Britain.

Geta, by contrast, seems to be getting trained, at least, in a much more administrative capacity. From all accounts, we don't get a sense that Geta ever leaves the imperial headquarters at Ibarakum in modern York. This situation is complicated, of course, though. It's never just as simple as that, because Severus does something else when the family's over in Britain.

I've said how Geta basically gets no slice of the cake. He's made Caesar in 198. In that intervening decade, he basically gets nothing more. He's made a pontifex, so he's made a priest. Some people want to mistakenly call that, oh, well, he's made Pontifex Maximus. He's not. He's not. He's not made the head priest. He has made a priest.

I've said how Geta basically gets no slice of the cake. He's made Caesar in 198. In that intervening decade, he basically gets nothing more. He's made a pontifex, so he's made a priest. Some people want to mistakenly call that, oh, well, he's made Pontifex Maximus. He's not. He's not. He's not made the head priest. He has made a priest.

I've said how Geta basically gets no slice of the cake. He's made Caesar in 198. In that intervening decade, he basically gets nothing more. He's made a pontifex, so he's made a priest. Some people want to mistakenly call that, oh, well, he's made Pontifex Maximus. He's not. He's not. He's not made the head priest. He has made a priest.

In 209, however, Severus makes the decision that the time has come and that Geta will also be elevated to the rank of Augustus. So you've got three now. Wow. So in 209, we have a tripartite principate. And for me, that is one of the core moments for understanding this pair of brothers.

In 209, however, Severus makes the decision that the time has come and that Geta will also be elevated to the rank of Augustus. So you've got three now. Wow. So in 209, we have a tripartite principate. And for me, that is one of the core moments for understanding this pair of brothers.

In 209, however, Severus makes the decision that the time has come and that Geta will also be elevated to the rank of Augustus. So you've got three now. Wow. So in 209, we have a tripartite principate. And for me, that is one of the core moments for understanding this pair of brothers.

Not just how Geta might feel, finally being given a bit of a share in the Imperial power alongside his brother, who he's had to be in the shadow of for the best part of a decade. I also try to think about it from the perspective of Caracalla. I can only imagine that being really a jarring moment.

Not just how Geta might feel, finally being given a bit of a share in the Imperial power alongside his brother, who he's had to be in the shadow of for the best part of a decade. I also try to think about it from the perspective of Caracalla. I can only imagine that being really a jarring moment.

Not just how Geta might feel, finally being given a bit of a share in the Imperial power alongside his brother, who he's had to be in the shadow of for the best part of a decade. I also try to think about it from the perspective of Caracalla. I can only imagine that being really a jarring moment.

He has assumed, perhaps, that he is going to share Imperial power with his father for all of his father's life. he will succeed his father and then he'll decide what happens. Whereas no, in 209, he is forced to share the imperial mantle with his brother, who we've just said he's fought hammer and tongs with for the best part of a decade. This is a very interesting constitutional move.

He has assumed, perhaps, that he is going to share Imperial power with his father for all of his father's life. he will succeed his father and then he'll decide what happens. Whereas no, in 209, he is forced to share the imperial mantle with his brother, who we've just said he's fought hammer and tongs with for the best part of a decade. This is a very interesting constitutional move.

He has assumed, perhaps, that he is going to share Imperial power with his father for all of his father's life. he will succeed his father and then he'll decide what happens. Whereas no, in 209, he is forced to share the imperial mantle with his brother, who we've just said he's fought hammer and tongs with for the best part of a decade. This is a very interesting constitutional move.

I'm still not sure I understand Severus's logic, to be honest, but it does change the dynamic within the Severan imperial household.

I'm still not sure I understand Severus's logic, to be honest, but it does change the dynamic within the Severan imperial household.

I'm still not sure I understand Severus's logic, to be honest, but it does change the dynamic within the Severan imperial household.

There's no doubt about the fact that she is a pivotal figure in both young men's lives at that point. In Britain, given that she's a member of the imperial court but obviously would be in no way attached to the military, it's more likely that she spent more time with Geta during that campaign.