On This Day In Roman History, March 22
Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus and his son Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus Augustus are proclaimed Emperor on March 22, 238 CE. The two Emperors, more commonly known as Gordian I and Gordian II, were only in power for exactly three weeks. These two make up a series known as the Year of the Six Emperors. This proclamation came after the rebellious leader, Maximinus Thrax, seized a large portion of power and a revolt against him started in North Africa in January, 238. Gordian II, attached to his father due to old age and health concerns, died at the Battle of Carthage. After Gordian I heard the news, he took his own life.
Did you know?
Even though Gordian I and II were defeated in the first rebellion against Thrax, a third man would find success later in 238. This nephew of Gordian II was recognized as Emperor and ending the Year of the Six Emperors. He was granted the title Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius Augustus by the Senate and would rule until 244.
Pictured: Portrait of Gordian I. Marble, Roman artwork, 220–230 CE. Photo by Wikipedia user Jastrow, via Wikimedia Commons.
Today's selected quote is yet again from Gibbon. He describes how Gordian I at first objected ruling due to old age, but eventually accepted the responsibility and the cognomen Africanus: "An iniquitous sentence had been pronounced against some opulent youths of [Africa], the execution of which would have stripped them of far the greater part of their patrimony. (…) A respite of three days, obtained with difficulty from the rapacious treasurer, was employed in collecting from their estates a great number of slaves and peasants blindly devoted to the commands of their lords, and armed with the rustic weapons of clubs and axes. The leaders of the conspiracy, as they were admitted to the audience of the procurator, stabbed him with the daggers concealed under their garments, and, by the assistance of their tumultuary train, seized on the little town of Thysdrus, and erected the standard of rebellion against the sovereign of the Roman empire. (...) Gordianus, their proconsul, and the object of their choice [as emperor], refused, with unfeigned reluctance, the dangerous honour, and begged with tears that they should suffer him to terminate in peace a long and innocent life, without staining his feeble age with civil blood. Their menaces compelled him to accept the Imperial purple, his only refuge indeed against the jealous cruelty of Maximin (...)."
Opinion
Welcome to my daily opinion! I didn't want to give too much away about the Battle of Carthage (238) because its only three weeks away! I am also happy to announce that's the most ridiculous opening line I have ever written during the three months I have been making these posts. For anyone who likes civil wars, this is the time period for you. If you are unfamiliar, I have skipped mentioning both Pupienus and Balbinus, the Emperors that come between Gordian II and Gordian III because they too will have their dates in history. I mainly just feel bad for Gordian I, who died at the age of 79 and outlived his son, simply because power was forced upon him during civil strife. He almost made it through a full career within what is Roman juggernautut power-politics; where making mistakes doesn't just cause you to lose your office, but one also usually pays with his life.
Sources
Blois, L. D. (2001). Administration, prosopography and appointment policies in the Roman empire: proceedings of the first workshop of the international network Impact of Empire (Roman Empire, 27 B.C. - A.D. 406), Leiden, June 28 - July 1, 2000. Amsterdam: Gieben.
Magie, D., O'Brien-Moore, A., & Ballou, S. H. (1922). The Scriptores historiae Augustae. London: W. Heinemann.
Potter, D. S. (2014). The Roman Empire at bay: AD 180-395. London: Routledge.
Further Reading:
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