Geta was Roman emperor alongside his father Septimius Severus and his older brother Caracalla from 209, and until 211 when he was murdered by Caracalla.
Following Geta's assassination, Caracalla ordered his brother's name to be removed from all inscriptions. The now sole emperor also took the opportunity to get rid of his political enemies, on grounds of conspiracy. Cassius Dio stated that around 20,000 men and women were killed or proscribed during this time.
Very few marble portraits attributable to Geta survive to date, presumably due to the very thorough damnatio memoriae which resulted in the erasing of his images. However Roman coins with his image are plentiful, and can reflect how his father Septimius Severus and later Geta himself wanted him to be seen by the Roman people (and especially the Roman military).
Following Geta's assassination, Caracalla ordered his brother's name to be removed from all inscriptions. The now sole emperor also took the opportunity to get rid of his political enemies, on grounds of conspiracy. Cassius Dio stated that around 20,000 men and women were killed or proscribed during this time.
Very few marble portraits attributable to Geta survive to date, presumably due to the very thorough damnatio memoriae which resulted in the erasing of his images. However Roman coins with his image are plentiful, and can reflect how his father Septimius Severus and later Geta himself wanted him to be seen by the Roman people (and especially the Roman military).
(1)
Caracalla
|
Geta
209-211 AD
Obverse:
M • ANTΩNЄIN OC AVΓOVCTOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right.
Reverse:
AVTO • KAIC • Π • CЄ ΠTIMIOC ΓЄTAC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bearded bust of Geta right.
(2)
Geta
198-209 AD
Obverse:
draped bust right from behind; Λ CEΠTI ΓE_TAC KAICA
Reverse:
calf walking right; KVZIKH / NΩN
(4)
Geta
209-211 AD
AE
unit
Augusta Traiana
Obverse:
draped bust right from behind; Π CEΠTI__ΓETAC K
Reverse:
Artemis running right, holding bow, drawing arrow with right hand from quiver on shoulder, dog right at her feet; AVΓOVCTHC TPAIANHC
(5)
Geta
198-209 AD
AE
unit
Nicopolis ad Istrum
Obverse:
head right; Λ'AVP.K·_ΓETAC
Reverse:
Hermes standing half left, wearing chalmys, holding purse and kerykeion; NIKOΠOΛIT_ΠPOC ICT
(6)
Geta
198-209 AD
Obverse:
draped bust right from behind; Π CEΠTI_ΓETAC K
Reverse:
tripod, snake entwined around leg; MAPKIANO_ΠOΛITΩN
(7)
Geta
209-211 AD
Obverse:
draped bust right from behind; Λ'CEΠTI Γ_ETAC KAICAP
Reverse:
hexastyle temple; Π_E / PI_NΘ / I_Ω / N NEOKO / PΩN
(8)
Geta
201 AD
Obverse:
P SEPT GETA CAES PONT
Reverse:
PRINCIVVENT, Geta standing left, holdng branch & spear
(9)
Geta
AD 200
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Obverse:
P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Reverse:
VICT AETERN, Victory hovering left, holding open wreath with both hands over shield set on base
(10)
Geta
AD 200
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Obverse:
P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Reverse:
PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Geta, in military dress, standing left, holding branch and spear; behind, trophy
(11)
Geta
198-209 AD
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AE
unit
Antiochia (Pisidia)
Obverse:
PO SEP GETAS C, Bare headed bust of Geta facing right, wearing cuirass, and drapery
Reverse:
ANTIOCHE GEN COL C, Genius standing facing, head left, holding branch and cornucopia
(12)
Geta
197-207
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Obverse:
P SEPT GETA CAES PONT. Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse:
SECVRIT IMPERII. Securitas seated left, holding globe, left arm on chair.
(13)
Geta
200-202 AD
Obverse:
bare, draped bust right from behind; P SEPT GETA__CAES PONT
Reverse:
Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopiae; FELICITAS__PVBLICA
(14)
Geta
198-209 AD
Obverse:
Π CEΠTI ΓETAC KAI, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta right.
Reverse:
ΠAVTA-ΛIΩTΩN, Thanatos standing slightly right, resting on lighted torch.
(15)
Geta
209 AD
Obverse:
IMP CAES P SEPT - GETA PIVS AVG, Laureate head right.
Reverse:
PONTIF TRP COS II, Bonus Eventus with patera and corn-ears left, altar at feet.
(16)
Geta
209-211 AD
Obverse:
laureate head right; AVT·KAI·__ΓETAC:CE·B·
Reverse:
Eagle facing, head right, wreath in beak, two stars above wings; ΔHMAPX·E·Ξ·VΠATOC·TO·B·
(17)
Geta
198-200 AD
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Obverse:
L SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, bareheaded draped bust right.
Reverse:
FELICITAS TEMPOR, Felicitas standing left, holding short caduceus and cornucopiae