Types of Caracalla and Geta portraits on Roman Imperial coins – the definition of a new type of Cesar for Caracalla and a new type of Augustus for Geta

Abstract

The presented analysis of the Caracalla and Geta portraits on Roman Imperial coins results in the definition of nine pictorial types for Caracalla and seven for his younger brother Geta, in both cases spanning a period between their enthronement and their assassination. They meet the criteria of official pictorial types such as clear differentiation, the existence of numerous copies and chronologically limited occurrence. The analysis of the coins provides two new
portrait types: Caracalla as Cesar (type 1) with short straight hair and child-like physiognomy, and Geta as Augustus (type 7) with a long forked beard and clear resemblance to his father Septimius Severus. During the lifetime of the father the portraits of the two brothers were equalised to an exchangeable extent. Then, Geta type 7 was used by Geta and his followers in the struggle for power between the two brothers.