The Battle of Antioch on June 8, 218AD took place between two roman armies of roman emperor Macrinus and one contender Elagabalus (whose troops were commanded by General Gannys). Elagabalus won and was crowned emperor. The city of Antioch-on-the-Orontes (modern Antakya; Greek Αντιόχεια) is located in what is now Turkey. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Events May 16 - Heliogabalus is acclaimed as Roman Emperor. ... Macrinus on an aureus. ... Varius Avitus Bassianus Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, (c. ...

History

Macrinus became emperor in 217 after Caracalla was murdered by Justin Martialus while fighting the Parthians, which many people believe Macrinus was involved in. Macrinus was proclaimed emperor three days later by the troops in Parthia. Caracalla Caracalla (April 4, 186–April 8, 217) was emperor of the Roman Empire from AD 211–217. ... Reproduction of a Parthian warrior as depicted on Trajans Column The Parthian Empire was the dominating force on the Iranian plateau beginning in the late 3rd century BCE, and intermittently controlled Mesopotamia between ca 190 BCE and 224 CE. Origins Bust of Parthian soldier, Esgh-abad Museum, Turkmenia. ...

Caracalla's mother Julia Domna and his aunt Julia Maesa were suspicious of Macrinus' role in the death of Caracalla and returned home to Syria. They championed the cause of Elagabalus, then aged 14, who was Caracalla's cousin and who they passed off as his illegimate son. Julia Domna Julia Domna (about 170-217), like her sister Julia Maesa, was a daughter of Julius Bassianus, priest of the sun god Heliogabalus, the patron god of Emesa in the Roman province of Syria. ... Julia Maesa (about 170- about 226) was daughter of Julius Bassianus, priest of the sun god Heliogabalus, the patron god of Emesa in the Roman province of Syria. ...

Macrinus had fought an indecisive battle with the Parthians and signed an agreement with the Parthians that many people thought was unfavourable to Rome. Macrinus then made the mistake of cutting pay for the legionnaires.

This prompted Legio III of Gallica to hail Elagabalus as Emperor on 16 May 218. Other legionnaires soon joined Elagabalus ranks prompted by discontent over pay. Macrinus sent a cavalry force led by Ulpinis Julianus, but the cavalry killed Ulpinus and joined Elagabalus.

Macrinus finally realised his mistake, abandoning his paycuts and delivering a bonus. His efforts were in vain as a whole legion defected to the challenger and desertions and mutinies made his situation so bad that he had to retire to Antioch. General Gannys, the Commander of Elagabalus's forces, marched against him and Macrinus was decisively defeated just outside Antioch on 8 June 218, with most of his forces abandoning him. Elagabalus became emperor while Macrinus fled, having shaved off his beard and hair to disguise himself as a member of the military police. Macrinus was recognised by a centurion at Chalcedon on the Bospurus, taken back to Antioch and killed. June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Chalcedon (Χαλκεδον, sometimes transliterated by purists as Chalkedon) was an ancient maritime town of Bithynia, in Asia Minor, almost directly opposite Byzantium, south of Scutari (modern Üsküdar). ...

External Link

• Roman Empire Net article on Macrinus