Iulius Martialis

Iulius Martialis († probably April 8, 217 ) was a member and officer of the Roman Praetorian Guard . As a Praetorian, it was his job to protect the emperor and provide military protection for the area in and around Rome .

Iulius Martialis was involved in the Macrinus conspiracy against the tyrannical Emperor Caracalla . He was assigned the role of the actual murder, since he was supposed to accompany the emperor on his march through Mesopotamia . In addition, he was chosen by the conspirators because he harbored personal hatred for Caracalla. Why exactly is unclear: Herodian speaks of an illegal execution of his brother just a few days earlier. Cassius Dio claims that a denied promotion was the decisive factor.

On April 8, 217 the imperial procession set out for Carrhae . When Caracalla got off his horse on the way to relieve himself, Martialis approached him, apparently to tell him something, and stabbed him in the back. A Scythian bodyguard Caracallas then killed the escaping assassin with his lance. The two praetorian tribunes rushed to the emperor, as if to help him, and completed the murder.