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— CH. 1 · ORIGINS AND LINEAGE —

Gordian II

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
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  • Marcus Antonius Gordianus was born in 192 to a family with deep roots in the Roman Republic. His praenomen and nomen suggest his ancestors received citizenship under Mark Antony or one of his daughters during the late Republican era. The cognomen Gordianus points to origins in Anatolia, specifically Galatia and Cappadocia. Modern historians dismiss claims that his mother Fabia Orestilla descended from emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. Some evidence suggests she might have been the granddaughter of Herodes Atticus, a Greek Sophist and consul. His sister Maecia Faustina later became the mother of Emperor Gordian III.

  • The only surviving account of Gordian II's early career comes from the Historia Augusta. This source describes him serving as quaestor during the reign of Elagabalus. He later held the offices of praetor and consul suffect under Emperor Severus Alexander. In 237 or 238, he traveled to Africa Proconsularis as a legatus under his father. That governorship marked his first major administrative role before the sudden upheaval of 238. No other contemporary records confirm these specific appointments beyond this single unreliable text.

  • Emperor Alexander Severus and his mother Julia Avita Mamaea were assassinated by mutinous troops at Moguntiacum in 235. The rebellion leader Maximinus Thrax seized power despite his low-born background and Senate disapproval. Local elites who had killed Maximinus's procurator forced Gordian I into revolt against the new emperor. This uprising occurred probably at the end of March 238. The political chaos following Alexander's death created a vacuum that allowed multiple claimants to emerge across the empire within months.

  • Gordian I was forced to participate in a full-scale revolt against Maximinus Thrax in early 238. Due to his advanced age, the younger Gordian was attached to the imperial throne and acclaimed augustus too. Both received the cognomen Africanus from their supporters. Their claim to the throne was ratified by the Senate and most provinces due to Maximinus' unpopularity. Father and son ruled jointly for only about 22 days before their deaths. The Chronograph of 354 states they ruled for 20 days while other sources suggest nearly three months.

  • Capelianus, governor of Numidia, renewed allegiance to Maximinus Thrax and invaded Africa with legion III Augusta. He held a grudge against Gordian and led veteran units against the rebels. Gordian II commanded an army of untrained soldiers against this professional force. He lost the Battle of Carthage and was killed fighting outside the city walls. His body was never recovered according to the Historia Augusta. Hearing the news, his father Gordian I killed himself shortly after.

  • The Historia Augusta remains the primary source for details about Gordian II's life but is notoriously unreliable. Modern historians dismiss many claims made within its pages as false or exaggerated. Edward Gibbon wrote in 1776 that Gordian had twenty-two acknowledged concubines and a library of sixty-two thousand volumes. These descriptions appear designed for use rather than ostentation according to Gibbon's analysis. The reliability of all accounts regarding his reign remains questionable due to contradictory evidence from multiple ancient writers.

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Common questions

When was Marcus Antonius Gordianus born?

Marcus Antonius Gordianus was born in 192 to a family with deep roots in the Roman Republic. His praenomen and nomen suggest his ancestors received citizenship under Mark Antony or one of his daughters during the late Republican era.

Who were the parents of Gordian II according to historical records?

Gordian II was the son of Gordian I and Fabia Orestilla. Modern historians dismiss claims that his mother descended from emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, though some evidence suggests she might have been the granddaughter of Herodes Atticus.

What happened to Gordian II at the Battle of Carthage?

Gordian II lost the Battle of Carthage while commanding an army of untrained soldiers against professional forces led by Capelianus. He was killed fighting outside the city walls and his body was never recovered according to the Historia Augusta.

How long did Gordian II rule as emperor before dying?

Father and son ruled jointly for only about 22 days before their deaths. The Chronograph of 354 states they ruled for 20 days while other sources suggest nearly three months.

Why is the Historia Augusta considered unreliable regarding Gordian II?

The Historia Augusta remains the primary source for details about Gordian II's life but is notoriously unreliable. Modern historians dismiss many claims made within its pages as false or exaggerated due to contradictory evidence from multiple ancient writers.

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All sources

6 references cited across the entry

  1. 1inlineThe exact chronology of events is unknown. See: Rea, J. (1972). "O. Leid. 144 and the Chronology of A.D. 238". ZPE 9, 1-19.
  2. 2bookThe Cambridge Manual of Latin EpigraphyAlison E. Cooley — Cambridge University Press — 2012
  3. 3bookAurelian and ProbusIlkka Syvänne — Pen and Sword — 2020
  4. 4journalPhilostratus and GordianTimothy D. Barnes — September 1968
  5. 5inlineFilocalus, Chronograph of 354, Part 16: "The two Gordians ruled for 20 days. They died in Africa."
  6. 6inlineZonaras ( 1120) Epitome xvii.17: "According to some they reigned about twenty-two days, but according to others not quite three months". He confuses the Gordians with Balbinus and Pupienus.