As the Roman arms had suffered some checks in Britain, Severus resolved to recover the territory which had been lost. After visiting some .cities in Italy, and appointing Caracalla and Geta his succes sors in the empire, he was accompanied by his two sons, and, when he landed in the island, he left Geta in the south, and marched with Caracalla against the Caledonians. Pursuing the inhabitants through their extensive marshes, and their dense forests, he lost about 50,000 men in this toilsome warfare; but his success was such that the enemy sued for peace, and surrendered a considerable part of their country. There is reason to think that Severus did not obtain possession of any part of Caledonia, and that he was never able to make any impression upon the people of that country.
Having conquered the countries bordering on Cale donia, Severus built a wall across the island, extend ing from sea to sea, from Bowness, or Tunnocelum, on the Solway Firth, to Cousin's house, or Scgcdunum, near the mouth of the river Tyne, a distance of 68 English miles. The wall was built of freestone, and had a ditch on its north side. It was twelve feet high and eight broad, and contained a great number of for tresses of different kinds. By this barrier the con quered provinces were protected against the incur sions of the Caledonians, and Severus retired to York. Caracalla attempted to murder his father; and the old man was so shocked with the brutality of his son, that he called him into his presence, and offering him a naked sword, exclaimed, " you are ambitious of reigning alone, imbrue now your hands in your fa ther's blood, and let not the world witness your want of filial tenderness." Caracalla was not greatly dis turbed by this reproof. He seems to have prevailed upon the soldiers to revolt, and to proclaim him em peror; but the moment Seven's, who had now lost the use of his feet, heard of these steps, he ordered him self to be put in his litter, and demanded the presence of Caracalla, and the tribunes and centurions. Con founded with the energy and boldness of their empe ror, they implored his pardon on their knees ; upon which he exclaimed, "It is the head that governs, and not the feet." Feeling that his disorder daily gained strength, he called for poison; but his attend ants having refused it, he ate to excess, which put an end to hls life in the 66th year of his age, and the 18th of his reign.
Though noted for his severity and cruelty, and des titute of the common feelings of humanity, yet Seve rus has gained a high name for his military talents, his attention to business, and his temperance and sim plicity of character. He was fond of literature, and
was celebrated by his wit as well as by his learning. Ile is said to have composed a history of his owl* reign, which was praised for its correctness and truth.
No sooner were Caracalla and Geta proclaimed em perors by the army, than they displayed the most in veterate hatred against each other. After murdering his brother, and marrying his father's wife, and com mitting many acts of cruelty, treachery, and folly, of which we have given a full account in his life,* Cara calla was murdered by a centurion at the instigation of Opilius Macrinus, in the 29th year of his age, and the 6th of his reign.
Macrinus, a Praetorian prefect, and who had been Caracalla's principal general in Mesopotamia, was declared emperor by the army, and their choice was confirmed by the senate. Macrinus, who was a Moor by birth, had reached his 53c1 year. He was very popular at the commencement of his reign, both from the affability of his manner, and from his having abo lished several taxes. His popularity, however, did not last long. His cowardice in purchasing a peace from the Persians by a large sum of money, and his constant affectation of imitating the virtuous Aure lius, irritated the people, and brought him into con tempt. In attempting to restrain the licentiousness of the soldiers, he was compelled to adopt some seve rities of discipline, which incensed the army, and in duced them to mutiny. Mxsa, the grandmother of Heliogabalus, who was the natural son of Caracalla, took advantage of this rebellious spirit, and distribut ing liberal presents among the soldiers, she recom mended Heliogabalus to their notice. They accord ingly sent for him to the camp, and proclaimed him emperor.
Heliogabalus, who was now only fourteen years of age, was a priest in the temple of the sun at Emea, in Phenicia, and was distinguished by the beauty of his person. The disposition to support his cause had become very strong in Rome; when Macrinus, who had been leading a life of pleasure at Antioch, sent over his lieutenant Julian with some legions to Italy. These troops slew their general, and declared for He liogabalus. Macrinus now resolved to march against the mutinous legions. The combatants met on the frontiers of Syria, and, after a bloody battle, Macri tuts was put to flight. Desirous of getting to Rome, he travelled with secrecy and expedition through Asia Minor; but he fell ill at Chalcedon, and being overta ken by his pursuers, he was put to death, along with his son Diadumenus, after a reign of fourteen months.