Caracalla, of mixed Punic–Roman–Berber and Syrian descent, was born Lucius Septimius Bassianus in Lugdunum, Gaul (now Lyon, France), the son of the later Emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna.

At the age of seven, his name had been changed to Marcus Aurelius Septimius Bassianus Antoninus to create a connection to the family of the philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius.

He will later be known by the nickname Caracalla, which refers to the Gallic hooded tunic he habitually wears and which he makes fashionable.

Geta, the younger son of Septimius Severus by his second wife Julia Domna, was born in Rome, at a time when his father was only a provincial governor at the service of Emperor Commodus.

Geta has always been always in a place close to his older brother Lucius, the heir later known as Caracalla.

Perhaps due to this, the relations between the two have been difficult from their early years.

Conflicts are constant and often require the mediation of their mother.

To appease his younger son, Septimius Severus gives Geta the title of Augustus in 209.

During the campaign against the Britons of the early third century, the imperial propaganda presents the image of a happy family that shares the responsibilities of rule.

Septimus Severus entrusts his wife Julia Domna as his councilor, his older son as his second in command, and gives administrative and bureaucratic duties to his younger son.

In reality, however, the rivalry and antipathy between the brothers is far from resolved.