Portrait of the Emperor Caracalla as a Youth

Caracalla went down in history as one of the cruellest Roman emperors. He kept his hold on the throne with the support of the army, where he was popular due to his generosity, powers of physical endurance and simple modest lifestyle when on campaign. Caracalla’s decree granting citizenship to the entire free population of the Roman Empire gave barbarians equal rights with Romans and provided him with the support of broad sections of the population.
The Hermitage portrait depicts the future Emperor at the age of 12–14. This type of portrait of the heir to the throne was produced after Caracalla was awarded the title of Caesar by his father, Septimius Severus, in the year 198. The unknown sculptor gave a psychologically precise characterization of the future ruler: in the adolescent’s distrustful half-smile and severe gaze we detect the look of someone who began his reign with the murder of his younger brother and his supporters. An ancient biographer informs us that “as a boy Caracalla was known for his gentle character and friendliness. But on leaving childhood he became reserved, gloomy and arrogant.”