Caracalla was greatly impacted by Alexander the Great

In his whole life, Caracalla had only ever obeyed his father and Alexander the Great. Alexander was revered and adored by him for his outstanding military leadership. Alexander the Great was a Greek-Macedonian commander who won several significant battles. Caracalla was very inspired by each of these.

He blatantly copied Alexander's fashion. When he became emperor, his military campaign was where it all began. Alexander's fascination with Caracalla was unfathomable. Images of Alexander would be displayed around Caracalla's imperial capital.

Herodian claims that Caracalla preserved the odd pictures, including one with a double face. Caracalla and Alexander were shown on opposite sides of the painting. Additionally, according to Cassius Dio, Caracalla imitated Alexander in how he ran the army. With 16,000 men in his army, Caracalla organized the military in typical Macedonian fashion.

It was simply known as "Alexander's Phalanx" and served as a monument to the 4th century B.C. styles of leadership. Caracalla intended for his trip to the East to be a copy of Alexander's.