Portrait of a Young Caracalla at The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

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Caracalla (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus; 188-217) earned a notorious place in history as one of Ancient Rome's most ruthless rulers. He maintained power by relying heavily on the army, which he won over with his generosity, physical strength and unpretentiousness on the battlefield. In 212, Caracalla issued an edict granting Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Empire, effectively giving equal rights to barbarians and Romans alike. The Hermitage portrait depicts a youthful Caracalla at around 12 or 14 years old. Portraits like this, showcasing the future emperor as a young heir, were created after Caracalla was named Caesar (198) and designated as his father Septimius Severus's successor (193-211). The unknown artist skillfully captures the character of the future ruler: in the teenager's suspicious half-smile and intense gaze, we see the man who began his reign by brutally murdering his younger brother Geta and his followers. An ancient biographer notes that Caracalla was known for his kind behavior and warmth during childhood, but as he matured, he became increasingly isolated, gloomy and arrogant.