Gordian I

Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronian Roman Africanus (Latin, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus; 159-238) was briefly Roman Emperor in 238.

Sestercio de Gordiano I.

Very little is known of his private life, his name suggesting that his family came from Phrygia (Anatolia). He was the son of Metio Marulo (Metio Marullus), of the illustrious family of the Gracchi, and of Ulpia Gordiana. He was a simple family of the equestrian order (equestre ), although of great wealth, but he rose in the hierarchy until he entered the Senate. He had two children: Marco Antonio Gordiano (Gordian II) and Mecia Faustina, the mother of the future Emperor Gordian III.

Origins and career

His family was of equestrian rank, modest, but very wealthy. Gordianus was said to be associated with prominent senators. His praenomen and nomen Mark Antony suggest that his paternal ancestors received Roman citizenship under the triumvir Mark Antony, or one of the daughters of him, during the late Roman Republic. The cognomen Gordian suggests that the origins of his family were located in Anatolia (related to the story of the Gordian knot ), especially Galatia and Cappadocia.

He spent his youth studying rhetoric and literature, entering politics when he was quite old. As a military man, he commanded the Legio IV Scythica , when it was stationed in Syria. In 216 he was made governor in Britain, and was a competent consul during the reign of Heliogabalus. As aedile he promoted magnificent games and spectacles that won him favor with the mob, but his prudence and his life withdrawn from political aspirations did not arouse the suspicion of Caracalla, in whose honor he wrote an epic poem entitled Antoninias. The fact that he remained intact after the chaotic reigns of the Severi suggests his little fondness for intrigue.

Rise to power

During the reign of Alexander Severus, Gordianus (already an 80-year-old old man) took a risk with the dangerous rule of Africa. Being Gordian proconsul, Maximino the Thracian murdered Emperor Alexander Severus and proclaimed himself his successor. Maximinus was not a popular emperor, and the general discontent caused by his oppressive rule culminated in a revolt in Africa in 238. This revolt was led by the wealthy young landowners of the affluent olive-growing region of Tisdro, who they joined their slaves and armed them. Such a group planned to install the aged proconsul Gordianus as emperor.

Gordian echoed the popular clamor and assumed both the office of emperor and the title of African in March of that year. He insisted, due to his advanced age, in associating his son Gordian II to the throne. A few days later he entered the city of Cartago, being cheered by the population and local leaders. Meanwhile in Rome Maximinus's praetorian prefect was assassinated, and it seemed that the rebellion was going to succeed. The Senate confirmed Gordian as emperor and most of the provinces sided with him.

Death

Curiously, the opposition to his reign would come from the neighboring province of Numidia. Capellian, governor of Numidia and loyal to Maximinus the Thracian, renewed his alliance with the former emperor and invaded the province of Africa with several legions of veterans. Gordianus was defeated, and his son Gordianus II died in battle. Grieved by the latter's death, Gordianus committed suicide by hanging himself with his own belt. He had been emperor for only 22 days.

The reason for Capelian's victory is that he faced inexperienced troops and that they were poorly armed, many soldiers only used bows and hunting spears. Capellian then captured and executed many of the rebellion's leaders and confiscated his rich estates. Subsequently, the Capelian general himself was defeated in battle and assassinated.

Gordianus deserves the high esteem held for his friendly nature. Both he and his son were well-versed in literature, earning high praise for their publications. This admiration also extended to the way in which state affairs were handled. Having sided with Gordian, the Senate was forced to continue the revolt against Maximinus, appointing Pupienus and Balbino as co-emperors, who demonstrated their loyalty to the ex-emperor by naming their grandson, who adopted the name Gordian III, co-emperor at the end of 238.