How long did Gordian I reign as Roman emperor?
Gordian I reigned for only 22 days, making his the second shortest reign in imperial history. He ruled jointly with his son Gordian II during 238 AD, the Year of the Six Emperors.
Questions about Gordian I
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Gordian I die?
Gordian I died by suicide, hanging himself with his belt after learning that his son Gordian II had been killed at the Battle of Carthage. He was the first Roman emperor to commit suicide since Otho in 69 AD.
Who was Gordian I before he became emperor?
Gordian I was a senator and career administrator who served as governor of Roman Britain in 216, held a suffect consulship before 223, and took up the proconsular governorship of Africa Proconsularis in 237. He was also known for staging lavish public games as aedile and for writing a long epic poem in honor of Emperor Caracalla called the Antoninias.
Why did Gordian I rebel against Maximinus Thrax?
Gordian I was thrust into rebellion by local citizens in Africa who had risen against Maximinus Thrax following the killing of his fiscal curator in a riot. Gordian reportedly accepted the imperial title only under threat, as refusal would have left him exposed to Maximinus' reprisals.
What were Gordian I's family origins?
Gordian I's family name Marcus Antonius suggests his paternal ancestors received Roman citizenship through the triumvir Mark Antony or his daughters during the late Republic. His cognomen Gordianus points to family roots in Anatolia, probably Galatia or Cappadocia.
What happened to the Gordian dynasty after Gordian I's death?
After Gordian I and Gordian II both died within 22 days, the Senate appointed Pupienus and Balbinus as joint emperors to continue resistance against Maximinus Thrax. By the end of 238, Gordian III, the maternal grandson of Gordian I, had become the recognized emperor.