Caracalla

Caracalla (April 4, 188 April 8, 217. Caracallus), born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later called Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus, was the eldest son of Septimius Severus and Roman Emperor from 211 to 217. He was one of the most nefarious of Roman emperors. Caracalla's reign was notable for: The Constitutio Antoniniana, granting Roman citizenship to freemen throughout the Roman Empire, according to historian Cassius Dio in order to increase taxation. Debasing the silver content in Roman coinage by 25 percent in order to increase the pay of the legions. The construction of a large thermae outside Rome, the remains of which, known as the Baths of Caracalla, can still be seen today. "Caracalla was the common enemy of mankind," wrote Edward Gibbon. He spent his reign traveling from province to province so that each could experience his "rapine and cruelty."