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Pupienus (165/170-238), also known as Pupienus Maximus, was a senator in the Roman Senate who had risen to power and influence through military success under the rule of the Severan dynasty. He served two terms as Consul, and became an important member of the Senate.<br/><br/> When Gordian I and his son were proclaimed Emperors in 238, the Senate immediately recognised them in defiance of Emperor Maximinus Thrax. Pupienus, an elderly man by then, was put on a committee to coordinate efforts to thwart Maximinus until the Gordians could arrive in Rome. The Gordians died less than a month after their declaration however, and the Senate became divided in how to act, ultimately voting for Pupienus and Balbinus, another elderly senator, to be installed as co-emperors.<br/><br/> Some senators, and the people of Rome, had wanted Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I, to be declared emperor however, and civil unrest gripped the capital. It was not helped that Pupienus and Balbinus argued and quarrelled often, Balbinus constantly worrying that Pupienus was planning to supplant him. Only a few months into their rule, they were dragged naked through the streets by the Praetorian Guard, publicly humiliated, tortured and then executed.
Gordian III (224-244) was the grandson of Emperor Gordian I and nephew of Emperor Gordian II. There is little known about his early life, but soon after the deaths of Gordian I and Gordian II in 238, Gordian III was renamed Marcus Antonius Gordianus, as his grandfather, and became imperial heir.<br/><br/> When current co-emperors Pupienus and Balbinus were executed by the Praetorian Guard months after their accession, Gordian became emperor at the age of 13, the youngest sole legal Roman emperor throughout the existence of the unified Roman Empire. Due to his age, the ruling of Rome was actually done by the Senate, with Gordian III being little more than a puppet figurehead, much loved by the people for his name and lineage, but powerless.<br/><br/> During his rule, there was a renewed attack on Roman lands by the Sassanid Empire, and Gordian III led an army eastwards to defeat the Sassanids. It was during the campaign against the Sassanids in 244 that Gordian III died. Sources are conflicted whether the 19-year-old emperor died in battle or was murdered by his own army. He was said to have been held in high esteem by the army however, and earned the lasting love of the Roman people.
Balbinus (178-238), like his eventual co-emperor Pupienus, was a senator and politican of the Roman Empire. There is little known information about Balbinus before his ascenion to joint emperor, but what is known is that he had served as consul twice, and may have governed multiple provinces.<br/><br/> After the Senate recognised the Gordians as co-emperors in 238 in defiance of current Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Balbinus was appointed to a committee alongside Pupienus to try and coordinate operations agaisnt Maximinus until the Gordians could arrive in Rome. The Gordians died less than a month after their ascension however, and the senate become divided in what to do next, with some wishing for Gordian III to become emperor, as the Gordians had been well liked by the people of Rome. Ultimately, Balbinus and Pupienus were declared as co-emperors. This led to riots and civil unrest in the capital, especially with the Praetorian Guard, who despised the idea of Senate-elected emperors.<br/><br/> While Pupienus oversaw the campaign against Maximinus, Balbinus was left to deal with public order in Rome, a duty he failed at. Pupienus soon returned victorious, and Balbinus began to suspect that his co-emperor was planning to supplant him, leading to constant quarrels and fighting. Their disagreements ultimately left them open to assassination by the Praetorian Guard, who dragged them naked through the streets, publicly humiliating, torturing and then finally executing them.
Gordian I (159-238) was born into a family of Equestrian rank, though there is little else known about his early life. He rose to power late during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, eventually becoming governor of the Roman province of Africa in 237.<br/><br/> When Alexander was killed and replaced by Maximinus Thrax, many were discontented with his rule, especially the Roman Senate, who viewed Maximinus with severe disdain and did not consider him a true Roman. This discontent eventually resulted in a revolt in Africa in 238. The rioters declared Gordian I the new emperor, who only accepted if his son, Gordian II, was also accepted as co-emperor. The Senate was quick to recognise the Gordians as the true emperors of the Empire, in defiance of Maxminius.<br/><br/> Their co-rule only lasted 21 days though, before a legion from the neighbouring province of Numidia invaded the province of Africa and easily defeated the hastily established militia army. Gordian II was killed during the Battle of Carthage, and Gordian I hanged himself after hearing of his son's death. His legacy would live on through his grandson Gordian III, who was recognised as emperor by the end of 238.
Gordian I (159-238) was born into a family of Equestrian rank, though there is little else known about his early life. He rose to power late during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, eventually becoming governor of the Roman province of Africa in 237.<br/><br/> When Alexander was killed and replaced by Maximinus Thrax, many were discontented with his rule, especially the Roman Senate, who viewed Maximinus with severe disdain and did not consider him a true Roman. This discontent eventually resulted in a revolt in Africa in 238. The rioters declared Gordian I the new emperor, who only accepted if his son, Gordian II, was also accepted as co-emperor. The Senate was quick to recognise the Gordians as the true emperors of the Empire, in defiance of Maxminius.<br/><br/> Their co-rule only lasted 21 days though, before a legion from the neighbouring province of Numidia invaded the province of Africa and easily defeated the hastily established militia army. Gordian II was killed during the Battle of Carthage, and Gordian I hanged himself after hearing of his son's death. His legacy would live on through his grandson Gordian III, who was recognised as emperor by the end of 238.
Pupienus (165/170-238), also known as Pupienus Maximus, was a senator in the Roman Senate who had risen to power and influence through military success under the rule of the Severan dynasty. He served two terms as Consul, and became an important member of the Senate.<br/><br/> When Gordian I and his son were proclaimed Emperors in 238, the Senate immediately recognised them in defiance of Emperor Maximinus Thrax. Pupienus, an elderly man by then, was put on a committee to coordinate efforts to thwart Maximinus until the Gordians could arrive in Rome. The Gordians died less than a month after their declaration however, and the Senate became divided in how to act, ultimately voting for Pupienus and Balbinus, another elderly senator, to be installed as co-emperors.<br/><br/> Some senators, and the people of Rome, had wanted Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I, to be declared emperor however, and civil unrest gripped the capital. It was not helped that Pupienus and Balbinus argued and quarrelled often, Balbinus constantly worrying that Pupienus was planning to supplant him. Only a few months into their rule, they were dragged naked through the streets by the Praetorian Guard, publicly humiliated, tortured and then executed.<br/><br/>
Of Thraco-Roman origin, Maximinus Thrax (173-238 CE) was a child of low birth, and was seen by the Senate as a barbarian and not a true Roman, despite Caracalla's Antonine Constitution granting citizenship to all freeborn citizens of the Empire. A career soldier, Maximinus rose through the ranks until he commanded a legion himself. He was one of the soldiers who were angered by Emperor Severus Alexander's payments to the Germanic tribes for peace, and plotted with them to assasinate the emperor in 235 CE.<br/><br/> The Praetorian Guard declared Maximinus emperor after the act, a choice that was only grudgingly confirmed by the Senate, who were disgusted at the idea of a peasant becoming emperor. Maximinus despised the nobility, and was heavy-handed in dealing with anyone suspected of plotting against him. In 238 CE, revolt arose in the province of Africa during his reign, with the governor Gordian I and his son, Gordian II, declared co-emperors. The Roman Senate quickly switched allegiance and acknowledged the claim of the Gordians. Maximinus immediately marched on Rome to deal with the Senatorial uprising.<br/><br/> The Gordians were swiftly defeated and died after less than a month of being co-emperors, with the Senate becoming divided on how to act, some preferring Gordian's grandson, Gordian III, while others elected two of their own, Pupienus and Balbinus, as co-emperors. Rome became engulfed in severe riots and street fighting. Maximinus died before he reached Rome, assassinated by his own soldiers during the siege of Aquileia. Pupienus and Balbinus became undisputed co-emperors. Maximinus' reign is often seen as the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, which would see the Roman Empire almost collapse from internal unrest, economic disaster and foreign invasions.
Balbinus (178-238), like his eventual co-emperor Pupienus, was a senator and politican of the Roman Empire. There is little known information about Balbinus before his ascenion to joint emperor, but what is known is that he had served as consul twice, and may have governed multiple provinces.<br/><br/> After the Senate recognised the Gordians as co-emperors in 238 in defiance of current Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Balbinus was appointed to a committee alongside Pupienus to try and coordinate operations agaisnt Maximinus until the Gordians could arrive in Rome. The Gordians died less than a month after their ascension however, and the senate become divided in what to do next, with some wishing for Gordian III to become emperor, as the Gordians had been well liked by the people of Rome. Ultimately, Balbinus and Pupienus were declared as co-emperors. This led to riots and civil unrest in the capital, especially with the Praetorian Guard, who despised the idea of Senate-elected emperors.<br/><br/> While Pupienus oversaw the campaign against Maximinus, Balbinus was left to deal with public order in Rome, a duty he failed at. Pupienus soon returned victorious, and Balbinus began to suspect that his co-emperor was planning to supplant him, leading to constant quarrels and fighting. Their disagreements ultimately left them open to assassination by the Praetorian Guard, who dragged them naked through the streets, publicly humiliating, torturing and then finally executing them.
Gordian III (224-244) was the grandson of Emperor Gordian I and nephew of Emperor Gordian II. There is little known about his early life, but soon after the deaths of Gordian I and Gordian II in 238, Gordian III was renamed Marcus Antonius Gordianus, as his grandfather, and became imperial heir.<br/><br/> When current co-emperors Pupienus and Balbinus were executed by the Praetorian Guard months after their accession, Gordian became emperor at the age of 13, the youngest sole legal Roman emperor throughout the existence of the unified Roman Empire. Due to his age, the ruling of Rome was actually done by the Senate, with Gordian III being little more than a puppet figurehead, much loved by the people for his name and lineage, but powerless.<br/><br/> During his rule, there was a renewed attack on Roman lands by the Sassanid Empire, and Gordian III led an army eastwards to defeat the Sassanids. It was during the campaign against the Sassanids in 244 that Gordian III died. Sources are conflicted whether the 19-year-old emperor died in battle or was murdered by his own army. He was said to have been held in high esteem by the army however, and earned the lasting love of the Roman people.
Gaius Julius Verus Maximus (217/220-238), sometimes known incorrectly as Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus or Maximinus the Younger, was the son of Thraco-Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax. Maximus was appointed as Caesar in 236, but held little real power until he was murdered alongside his father in 238 by the Praetorian Guard, during the Siege of Aquileia.
Gaius Julius Verus Maximus (217/220 - 238), sometimes known incorrectly as Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus or Maximinus the Younger, was the son of Thraco-Roman Emperor Maximinus Thrax. Maximus was appointed as Caesar in 236, but held little real power until he was murdered alongside his father in 238 by the Praetorian Guard, during the Siege of Aquileia.
Of Thraco-Roman origin, Maximinus Thrax (173 - 238 CE) was a child of low birth, and was seen by the Senate as a barbarian and not a true Roman, despite Caracalla's Antonine Constitution granting citizenship to all freeborn citizens of the Empire. A career soldier, Maximinus rose through the ranks until he commanded a legion himself. He was one of the soldiers who were angered by Emperor Severus Alexander's payments to the Germanic tribes for peace, and plotted with them to assasinate the emperor in 235 CE.<br/><br/> The Praetorian Guard declared Maximinus emperor after the act, a choice that was only grudgingly confirmed by the Senate, who were disgusted at the idea of a peasant becoming emperor. Maximinus despised the nobility, and was heavy-handed in dealing with anyone suspected of plotting against him. In 238 CE, revolt arose in the province of Africa during his reign, with the governor Gordian I and his son, Gordian II, declared co-emperors. The Roman Senate quickly switched allegiance and acknowledged the claim of the Gordians. Maximinus immediately marched on Rome to deal with the Senatorial uprising.<br/><br/> The Gordians were swiftly defeated and died after less than a month of being co-emperors, with the Senate becoming divided on how to act, some preferring Gordian's grandson, Gordian III, while others elected two of their own, Pupienus and Balbinus, as co-emperors. Rome became engulfed in severe riots and street fighting. Maximinus died before he reached Rome, assassinated by his own soldiers during the siege of Aquileia. Pupienus and Balbinus became undisputed co-emperors. Maximinus' reign is often seen as the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, which would see the Roman Empire almost collapse from internal unrest, economic disaster and foreign invasions.