Gordian II
Short Biography
about the life of Gordian II
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of
Gordian II, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.
Name commonly known as: Gordian II
Latin Roman Name: Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus
Africanus
Reigned as Roman Emperor /
Caesar: 22 March - 12 April 238 (with his father
Gordian I in revolt against Maximinus Thrax)
Dynasty /
Historical Period: Crisis of the
Third Century - Year of the Six
Emperors
Date of Birth: c.
192
Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor was
Maximinus Thrax
Date succeeded as
Emperor of Rome and circumstances of
rule:
Family connections / Genealogy
*** Name of Father:
*** Name of Mother: Fabia
Orestilla
*** Children: None
*** Gordian III was his nephew
Place and Date of
Death: 12 April 238 at Carthage
Name of next Emperor:
The successors to Gordian II were
Balbinus
and
Pupienus
with
Gordian III
Interesting facts
about the life of Gordian II
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor
Gordian II from the following facts and information about his life.Why was
Gordian II 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. Gordian was
the father of Marcus Antonius Gordianus. His father became Emperor Gordian I on
22 March 238 although he was in his eightieth year.
Because of his advanced age, his father insisted that
Marcus Antonius Gordianus became co-emperor with him. Marcus
Antonius Gordianus thus became Gordian II. The Senate backed
the Gordians and also revolted against Maximinus Thrax. 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 Marcus
Antonius Gordianus, Gordian II
at Carthage. Gordian II
lost the Battle of Carthage and was killed. His father,
Gordian I, 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 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 put him to death in A.D. 238.
Gordian II -
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 II -
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 II
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