Macrinus

Macrinus (Latin: Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus;c. 165 – June 218), was Roman Emperor from 217 to 218. Macrinus' origin was Mauretanian, probably of mixed extraction with Punic or Punicized elements. As a member of the equestrian class he became the first emperor who did not hail from the senatorial class.

Macrinus was overthrown and executed in 218.

Background and career

Born in Caesarea Mauretaniae (modern Cherchell, Algeria) in the Roman province of Mauretania to an equestrian family, Macrinus received an education which allowed him to ascend to the Roman political class. Over the years he earned a reputation as a skilled lawyer, and under the emperor Septimius Severus he became an important bureaucrat. Severus' successor Caracalla appointed him prefect of the Praetorian Guard.

While Macrinus probably enjoyed the trust of Caracalla, this may have changed when, according to tradition, it was prophesied that he would depose and succeed the Emperor, and rumors spread regarding his alleged desire to take the throne for himself. Given Caracalla's tendency toward murdering political opponents, Macrinus probably feared for his own safety should the Emperor become aware of this prophecy. According to Dio Cassius, Caracalla had already taken the step of reassigning members of Macrinus' staff.

Macrinus (Bishop of Eleutheropolis)

Macrinus was a third-century bishop of Eleutheropolis in Judea and delegate to the first Council of Nicene.

Very little is known of his early life, career or Episcopal work. He was appointed as the bishop of Eleutheropolis in 325 and later in 325 Macrinus attended the First Council of Nicaea as a delegate representing Judea.

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