Roman emperor in 217 and 218, the first man to rule the empire without having achieved senatorial status.
His skills as a lawyer helped him to rise rapidly in an equestrian career (a step below a senatorial career in status) until he became a praetorian prefect under the emperor Caracalla (ruled 211-217).
Macrinus is alleged to have prompted the murder of Caracalla by an army officer in April 217 while the emperor was fighting the Parthians in present-day Iran.
Three days after the assassination Macrinus was proclaimed emperor by his army. He fought an inconclusive battle with the Parthians and then agreed to a peace that was unfavourable to Rome. This decision cost him the support of his Syrian troops who transferred their allegiance to Elagabalus, the son of a cousin of Caracalla.
With his remaining forces Macrinus fled toward Italy. He was overtaken, defeated in a battle near Antioch (modern Antakya, Turkey) and subsequently captured and executed.
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