AR Denarius, A.D. 217-218, Rome, 19.2mm, 3.82g, 0°, RIC IVii, 59
Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG. Laureate, cuirassed bust right.
Rev: FELICITAS TEMPORVM. Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.
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Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus was Roman Emperor from 217 to 218. Macrinus was born to an equestrian family of Berber descent from North Africa and was the prefect of the Praetorian guard under Caracalla. In the spring of 217 Caracalla was in the east preparing a campaign against the Parthian empire when in April he was murdered while visiting a temple. Caracalla's body was returned along with the corpse of a fellow bodyguard. The story as told by Macrinus was that the dead guard had killed Caracalla. However, there were rumors that Macrinus had a desire for the throne himself. By April 11, Macrinus proclaimed himself emperor and despite his equestrian background, he was confirmed by the Senate.

During his reign, Macrinus displayed a reluctance to engage in military conflict, preferring instead to negotiate settlements. This reluctance caused considerable resentment among the soldiers and was compounded by him curtailing many of the privileges they had enjoyed under Caracalla. His popularity also suffered in Rome. Not only had the new emperor failed to visit the city after taking power but when a late-summer thunderstorm caused widespread fires and flooding, Macrinus' appointee as urban prefect proved unable to repair the damage to the satisfaction of the populace and had to be replaced.

The surviving members of the Severan dynasty, headed by Julia Maesa and her daughters Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea, fostered further discontent. They used their hereditary influence to proclaim Soaemias' son Elagabalus as the true successor to Caracalla. The rumor was spread that Elagabalus was Caracalla's illegitimate son and thus the child of a union between first cousins. On May 18, Elagabalus was proclaimed emperor by the Legio III Gallica at its camp at Raphana. A force marched on Antioch and engaged Macrinus on June 8, 218. Macrinus was deserted by most of his soldiers and fled towards Italy disguised as a courier. He was captured near Chalcedon and later executed in Cappadocia.