Carinus (Marcus Aurelius Carinus) [key], d. 285, Roman emperor (283–85). He was the son of Carus, who left Carinus as ruler in the West when he went to the East on a campaign against the Parthians. On the death of Carus, Carinus succeeded in the West, and his brother Numerianus succeeded in the East. After the murder of Numerianus, Diocletian was chosen (284) emperor in the East by the soldiers. Carinus set out to defeat the new claimant and met him in battle. At the moment of victory, however, Carinus was murdered by one of his own soldiers, and Diocletian became sole emperor.
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