Caracalla Denarius Ancient Roman Empire Silver Coin 210AD RIC 226 PROFECTIO AVG

Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, Head of Caracalla, laureate, bearded, right
Reverse: PROFECTIO AVG, Caracalla, in military attire, standing right, holding transverse spear in both hands; behind, standard-bearer
Date: c. 210-213 A.D., RIC 226
Size: 18.5mm diameter, 2.21g weight
Composition: Silver

Caracalla was a cruel and tyrannical leader according to ancient historians. He and his brother Geta became co-emperors in 211 A.D. upon their father's death. The two brothers had a fierce hatred of one another, which culminated in Caracalla having Geta stabbed to death later that year and declaring himself sole emperor (then massacring 20,000 of Geta's friends and supporters). 

Caracalla spent nearly his entire reign campaigning with his armies and styled himself a soldier-emperor. He met his end in 217 A.D. (29 years old) at the sword of a common Roman soldier, who was angry that Caracalla had not approved his promotion to centurion (and who was possibly encouraged/aided in the assassination by Caracalla's general Macrinus, who became the next emperor).