Macrinius was born in North Africa and had a reputation for being a sensible and experienced administrator. However, he made the fatal mistake of embarrassing the eastern legions by purchasing a peace with the Parthian king, Artabanas. Caracalla's aunt hatched a scheme to put a fourteen-year-old decedent of Severus on imperial throne. Having alienated the military, Macrinius was easily defeated by forces loyal to Severus dynasty and died around June, 218.