Editing Caracalla (section)

== Portraiture ==
[[File:Roman - Medallion with Roman Emperor Caracalla - Walters 593 - Obverse.jpg|thumb|This medallion exemplifies the typical manner in which Caracalla was depicted ([[Walters Art Museum]], [[Baltimore]])]]
Caracalla's official portrayal as sole emperor marks a break from the detached images of the philosopher-emperors who preceded him: his close-cropped haircut is that of a soldier, his pugnacious scowl a realistic and threatening presence. This rugged soldier-emperor, an iconic archetype, was adopted by most of the following emperors, such as [[Maximinus Thrax]], who were dependent on the support of the troops to rule the empire.{{sfn|Hekster|Zair|2008|p=59}}<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/05/eust/ho_40.11.1a.htm| title = Metropolitan Museum of Art: Portrait head of the Emperor Caracalla". acc. no. 40.11.1a}}</ref>

Herodian describes Caracalla as having preferred northern European clothing, ''Caracalla'' being the name of the short Gaulish cloak that he made fashionable, and he often wore a blond wig.<ref>{{Cite book|title=History of the Roman Empire|pages=4.7.3|author=Herodian of Antioch}}</ref> Dio mentions that when Caracalla was a boy, he had a tendency to show an angry or even savage facial expression.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Roman History|last=Dio|first=Cassius|year=n.d.|pages=78.11.1}}</ref>

The way Caracalla wanted to be portrayed to his people can be seen through the many surviving busts and coins. Images of the young Caracalla cannot be clearly distinguished from his younger brother Geta.{{sfn|Varner|2004|p=169}} On the coins, Caracalla was shown laureate after becoming ''augustus'' in 197; Geta is bareheaded until he became ''augustus'' himself in 209.<ref name=":13">{{Cite book|title=Porträttypen des Caracalla und des Geta auf Römischen Reichsprägungen – Definition eines neuen Caesartyps des Caracalla und eines neuen Augustustyps des Geta|last=Pangerl|first=Andreas|publisher=Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt des RGZM Mainz 43|year=2013|pages=99–116}}</ref> Between 209 and their father's death in February{{nbsp}}211, both brothers are shown as mature young men who were ready to take over the empire.

Between the death of the father and the assassination of Geta towards the end of 211, Caracalla's portrait remains static with a short full beard while Geta develops a long beard with hair strains like his father. The latter was a strong indicator of Geta's effort to be seen as the true successor to their father, an effort that came to naught when he was murdered.<ref name=":13" /> Caracalla's presentation on coins during the period of his co-reign with his father, from 198 to 210, are in broad terms in line with the third-century imperial representation; most coin types communicate military and religious messages, with other coins giving messages of ''saeculum aureum'' and virtues.{{sfn|Manders|2012|p=251}}

During Caracalla's sole reign, from 212 to 217, a significant shift in representation took place. The majority of coins produced during this period made associations with divinity or had religious messages; others had non-specific and unique messages that were only circulated during Caracalla's sole rule.{{sfn|Manders|2012|pp=251–252}}