General Notes

Name Suffix: co-Emperor of Rome
Death: Killed by Capellinius of Numidia, who with the 3rd legion, crushed the revolt.

Biography: During his time in Africa, one of Maximinus' procurators was squeezing the local landowners for all the taxes he coudl get out of them. The emperor's military campaigns were costly and consumed vast amounts of money. But in the province of Africa things finally boiled over. Landowners near Thysdrus (El Djem) revolted, and rose up with their tenants. The hated tax collector and his guards were overcome and killed. Gordian's duties were clear. He was obliged to restore order and crush this tax revolt. The people of the province had only one chance of avoiding Rome's wrath. And that was to incite their governor to revolt. And so they proclaimed Gordian emperor. At first their governor was reluctant to accept but on 19 March AD 238 he agreed to his elevation to the rank of Augustus and only a few days later, having returned to Carthage, he appointed his son of the same name as co-emperor.


Events: Consul of Rome Acceded 223

Events: Governor of Lower Britian Acceded 237/38