Gordian (redirected from Emperor Gordianus)

Gordian (gôr`dēən), name of three Roman emperors.

Gordian I (Marcus Antonius Gordianus Africanus), d. 238, was a Roman of great wealth and was colleague in the consulship with Caracalla and with Alexander Severus, who appointed him proconsul in Africa. After the usurpation of Maximin (d. 238), a rebellion broke out in Africa over the unscrupulous behavior of one of Maximin's men, and Gordian at the age of 81 was made coemperor (238) with his son. They were recognized by the Roman senate. Soon afterward, however, Vitallianus, a partisan of Maximin, attacked them in Carthage. Gordian I committed suicide, ending a reign of only 22 days, after learning that his son and colleague,

Gordian II, 192–238, had been killed in battle. The senate named two new emperors, Balbinus and Pupienus. Gordian II's son,

Gordian III, c.223–244, was made caesar. Balbinus and Pupienus defeated and killed Maximin but were soon murdered by the Praetorian Guard, whereupon Gordian III became emperor (238–44). In 242, Gordian attacked the Persians in Mesopotamia. His forces inflicted several defeats on them, but his best general, his father-in-law Timesitheus, died. The troops became disorderly, and Philip (Philip the Arabian) had Gordian murdered.

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Gordian

knot inextricable difficulty; Alexander cut the original. [Gk. Hist.: Espy, 49]

See : Predicament

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Gordian

in ancient Rome:

Gordian I (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Born A.D. 159; died 238, in Carthage. Emperor in 238. Descended from the family of the Gracchi. He was a praetor, consul (several times), and proconsul in several provinces of the Roman Empire. In 238, when he was proconsul of the province of Africa, at the time of the uprising of the local nobility against the Emperor Maximinus, Gordian was proclaimed emperor and confirmed by the Senate together with his son, Gordian II, as his co-regent. He reigned 36 days and hanged himself when hearing of his son’s death in battle.

Gordian II (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Born 192; died 238. Emperor in 238, co-regent with his father. Gordian II was killed in the battle with Capellianus, the governor of Numidia.

Gordian III (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Born 225; died 244. Emperor from 238; grandson of Gordian I. After the latter’s death the Senate proclaimed Gordian III emperor together with Pupienus and Balbinus. He was killed by the prefect of the praetorians, Philip the Arab, during a campaign against Persia. His biography was written by Julius Capitolinus (Russian translation, Vestnik Istorii, 1959, no. 1, pp. 227–39).

REFERENCE

Lehmann. K. F. Kaiser Gordian III: 238–244 nach Christus. Berlin, 1911.

E. M. SHTAERMAN