Gordian I (159-12 April 238) was Roman emperor from 22 March to 12 April 238, succeeding Maximinus Thrax and preceding Pupienus.
Biography[]
Gordian Africanus was born in 159 in Phrygia to a very wealthy equestrian family, and he married a descendant of Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius' line. His political career as a senator started late in his life, and in 216 he served as Governor of Roman Britain before serving as an aedile. He was acclaimed emperor on 22 March 238 after the murder of Maximinus Thrax, and he had his son Gordian II made co-emperor under him. Gordian obtained the support of the Roman Senate for his rebellion against Thrax while in Carthage, but Legio III Augusta in Numidia rebelled against Gordian in favor of Thrax. The young Gordian was slain at Carthage in 238 by the rebellious legionnaires, and the older Gordian hung himself with a belt, ending the Gordians' rule.