GORDIAN III
Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius, also known as Gordian III, was made emperor in the Roman Empire in 238 AD, after the deaths of his grandfather, Gordian I and his uncle, Gordian II who had threatened to cause much chaos in the empire. The majority of the population believed the two emperors were victims of Maximinus Thrax's oppression and had been largely hostile toward their successors. Maximinus was the emperor of the Roman Empire after Alexander Severus was murdered in Moguntiacum (now called Mainz).
After the death of the elder Gordians, Augusti Balbinus and Pupienus were proclaimed emperors. The reign of these men were largely marked by riots and military discontent which prompted the Senate to appoint Gordian III, then only 13 years old, as junior emperor to appease the public who looked up to the elder Gordians.
Gordian I and Gordian II were highly popular and were regarded by the public as sensible and peace-loving men. Gordian III was the son of Antonia Gordiana. His real name is unknown and he assumed his grandfather's name only after he was named emperor in 238 AD.
After only a few months, both Balbinus and Pupienus were murdered by the Praetoerian guard so Gordian III was left to rule over the empire. Because the emperor was still very young, the aristocratic families controlled much of the Empire's affairs through the Senate.
In 240 AD, the governor of the province of Africa, Marcus Asinius Sabinianus, had himself appointed as emperor and headed a revolt against the young ruler. His plans did not succeed because the governor of Mauretania gathered troops and headed east to stop the rebellion.
After Gordian III married Furia Sabina Tranquillina in 241 AD, his father-in-law Gaius Furius Sabinius Aquila Timesitheus, became the de-facto ruler of the Empire. Timesitheus was then the newly appointed Praetorian prefect and carried a lot of influence especially after becoming the father-in-law of the emperor.
Timesitheus, accompanied by Gordian III, headed military troops eastward to wage a battle against the army of the Persian King, Shapur I, who had invaded the Mesopotamia. The troops had defeated and drove the Persians out of Syria in the Battle of Resaena. Soon after, Gordian III and his father-in-law planned an invasion of enemy territory but Timesitheus fell ill and died.
The cause of Timesitheus’s death remains a mystery and although many believe he died of sickness, there are those who believe he was poisoned by his deputy, Marcus Julius Philippus. Marcus Julius Philippus, also known as Philip the Arab, became the Praetorian Prefect after the death of Timesitheus.
With Philip the Arab heading the army, the Romans proceeded with their attack of the Persians. Philip blamed the young emperor for all the problems they encountered during war and took no blame for anything. In 244 AD, Gordian III died near the Euphrates. The incident surrounding the death of the young emperor at Zaitha remains unclear.
Some sources say the emperor died in battle near Falljah (Iraq) while others say he was murdered by Philip who wanted to become emperor. The emperor's ashes were brought back to Rome and he was later deified by the Senate despite opposition from the new emperor.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 13/05/2008
