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Gordian I
Short Biography
about the life of Gordian I
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of
Gordian I, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.
Name commonly known as: Gordian I *** Latin Roman Name: Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus
Africanus *** Reigned as Roman Emperor /
Caesar: 22 March - 12 April 238 (jointly with
Gordian II) *** Dynasty / Historical Period:
Crisis of the Third Century - Year of the Six Emperors *** Place and Date of Birth:
Born c. 159 in Phrygia (modern day Turkey) *** Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Gordian I was
Maximinus Thrax
Family connections / Genealogy
*** Name of Father: Maecius
Marullus *** Name of Mother: Ulpia Gordiana *** Married: Fabia Orestilla *** Children: Gordian II, Antonia
Gordiana (who became the mother of the future Emperor Gordian III)
Place and Date of Death:
12 April 238 by suicide. Gordian I hung himself in Carthage after hearing of
the death of Gordian II, his son
*** Name of next Emperor:
The successors to Gordian I were
Balbinus
and
Pupienus
with
Gordian III
Interesting facts
about the life of Gordian I
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor
Gordian I from the following facts and information about his life. Why was
Gordian I famous?
Accomplishments, achievements and important events. The harsh
doctrines and regime of the emperor, Maximin (aka Maximinus Thrax)
produced a revolt in Africa, where the legions proclaimed
their proconsul, Gordian, the emperor of Rome. He became
Emperor Gordian I on 22 March
238 although he was in his
eightieth year. Because of his advanced age, he insisted
that his son, Marcus Antonius Gordianus (Gordian II), became
co-emperor with him. The Senate followed suit and also
revolted against Maximinus Thrax and confirmed the
appointment of the Gordians. The appointment was popular in
most of the provinces and with the people of Rome. However
opposition came from the Roman province of Numidia in present-day North Africa.
Capelianus, the governor of Numidia was a loyal supporter of
Maximinus Thrax and went into battle with Gordian II at
Carthage. Marcus Antonius
Gordianus (Gordian II) the son
of Gordian I lost the Battle of Carthage and was killed and
Gordian took his own life by hanging himself with his belt.
The Gordians had reigned only thirty-six days during the
Year of the Six Emperors. The
death of Gordian fulfilled an omen that Gordian would not to
rule for long. The omen in question was an eclipse of the
sun, so black that men thought it was night and business
could not be transacted without the aid of lanterns. The
Senate immediately elected Pupienus and Balbinus
co-emperors, to whom, in order to gratify the people, they
joined the younger Gordian, then only twelve years of age.
Maximinus Thrax entered Italy and besieged Aquileia, but his
soldiers, weary of the length of the siege, put him to death
in A.D. 238.
Gordian I -
Crisis of the Third Century (235 - 284)
The Crisis of the Third
Century was the period in Roman history following the death
of Alexander Severus when Rome entered into the era of
Military Anarchy commonly known as the Crisis of the Third
Century. During the Crisis of the Third Century, lasting
over 50 years, not one
single Emperor died of natural causes. Revolts sprung up in
virtually all of the provinces and ambitious men struggled
for power. During the crisis there were civil wars, street
fights between the citizens of Rome and soldiers of the
imperial guard, fierce foreign enemies, plagues,
famines, fire and earthquakes.
Gordian I -
Year of the Six Emperors (238)
The Year of the Six
Emperors (238) and the start of the Barracks Emperors. There
were six emperors in 238 AD and each of them were officially
recognized by the Roman Senate. Their names were Maximinus
Thrax, Gordian I, Gordian II, Balbinus, Pupienus and Gordian
III. By the end of the Year of the Six Emperors five had
died a violent and bloody death leaving the 13 year old
Gordian III as the sole Roman Emperor.
Gordian I
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