Gordian I

Life before taking power

Very little is known about the origin and early life of Emperor Gordian I. The future Emperor Mark Antony Gordian Sempronian was born around 158 or around 159 ^{[3] [4]} . Apparently, he belonged to a noble and rich family, but there is no reliable data on his family ^[4] . According to historian Alexander Kanduki, the Gordian clan was a horseman ^[5] . In support of the opinion that Gordian belonged to the senatorial estate, no reliable evidence is given ^[4] . But nevertheless, at the end of his life, Gordian became related with famous senatorial families ^[6] . A third-century Greek historian Herodian writes that Gordian was of "good origin" ^[7] . However, it is possible that the Gordian family was associated with prominent clans from the Greek East, whose representatives held high political positions in the II century ^[8] .

The nomenclature of Gordian and Mark Anthony indicate that his ancestors received Roman citizenship back in the Roman Republic from a member of the Second Triumvirate, Mark Anthony or one of his daughters ^[6] . Kognomen Gordian (possibly dating back to the name of the Asia Minor city of Gordian) indicates the Anatolian origin of his family, especially from Galatia and Cappadocia ^{[9] [2]} .

According to the History of Augustus, his mother was Ulpia Gordiana, and his father was the Roman senator Metzius Marull ^[10] . The same source writes that, on the paternal side, Gordian descended from the famous republican reformers of the Gracchus brothers , and on the maternal line - from the emperor Trajan himself ^[10] . While modern historians consider Metzius Marulla a fictional character (in particular, in their opinion the name Metzius is not typical for the 3rd century, but for the 4th century, when the History of Augustus was created) ^[2] , his mother’s personality may be more realistic. Gordian’s family history can be traced back to epigraphic data. The nicknames Sempronian and Roman may indicate a connection with the maternal ancestors. In the Turkish city of Ankara , a tombstone was found for a certain Sempronia Romana, daughter of the imperial secretary Sempronia Aquila ^[6] . Romana placed her over the grave of her husband (whose name is lost), the deceased praetor-designate (that is, destined to praetor ) ^[4] .

The French historian Christian Settipani considers him to be the parents of the plebeian tribune and praetor-designate Marc Anthony and the daughter of Titus Flavius ​​Sempronius Aquila and Claudius Sempronius Roman. Mother Romana Claudius, in turn, was the daughter of Claudia Tizamenida, sister of Herodes Atticus ^[11] . In addition, in accordance with the History of Augustus, the wife of Gordian was Fabius Orestilla, who was the great-granddaughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius ^[12] . Christian Settipani considers her parents of the consul-suffice Mark Annius Severus and Sylvanas , daughter of Lucius Plavius ​​Lamia Sylvanas and Aurelius Fadilla, daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder ^[11] . At least two children were born in their marriage: Gordian II and daughter Metzia Faustina, who became the mother of Emperor Gordian III ^[4] . The History of Augustus ^[13] mentions another son of Gordian I, but his existence cannot be either denied or confirmed ^[4] .

The future emperor, apparently, is identical to the proconsul Anthony Gordian, to whom the Greek writer Philostratus the Elder devoted his work "Biographies of sophists" ^[4] . Philostratus calls him a descendant of the famous orator and senator of Greek origin Herod Attica ^[14] . Gordian’s birth date and information about Herod’s children suggests that this connection is unlikely, but there is speculation that Philostratus spoke not about Gordian the Elder, but about his son. This interpretation means that Gordian I was married to Herod’s granddaughter ^[15] . However, other historians argue that Philostratus did not indicate biological kinship, but that Gordian may have studied with Herod Attica (a teacher as a “father”) ^[4] .

Gordian had to go through a series of posts before he joined the Roman Senate. His political career began relatively late ^[4] , since, presumably, his early years passed in rhetoric and literature studies ^[6] . The History of Augustus tells us that Gordian was also a quaestor , aedile and praetor ^[16] . It is known that Gordian commanded the IV Scythian legion when he was deployed in the province of Syria ^[6] . He also served as governor of Lower Britain in 216, proconsul of Achaea about 220 years and the legate of the Prophet Syria after 222 years ^[17] , was consul-suffice (about 221 years ^[3] ) during the reign of Emperor Heliogabal ^[4] . The inscriptions in Britain with his name were partially erased, which makes it possible to suggest some discontent of the emperor in relation to Gordian ^[18] . Statements by the History of Augustus that Gordian was the first consul with Caracalla , and the second with Alexander Sever, are the fruits of the author’s fantasies ^[4] .

Gordian in his youth wrote a poem called "Antoniniad" in thirty books, which described the rule of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius ^[19] . This fact, as well as the dedication of his work to Gordian by Philostratus, makes us claim that Gordian was a representative of the intellectuals in the Roman government and that, perhaps, his literary talents and achievements in the field of rhetoric helped him in his career ^[20] . In addition, Gordian was the largest landowner of his time: “in the provinces he had as much land as none of the private individuals had” ^[21] .

Appearance and personal qualities

The only source that gives the most complete description of the character and appearance of Emperor Gordian I is the collection of imperial biographies " History of Augustus ":

“He was usual for the Romans growth; he had a beautiful gray hair, a majestic look, complexion - rather red than white; the face is very broad, the expression of the eyes, the shape of the mouth and forehead are respectful, the physique is somewhat complete. He was distinguished by such a balanced disposition that he could not be reproached for any act that would be caused by ardor, immodesty or immoderation. He was exclusively attached to his loved ones, had unlimited love for his son and grandson, reverently - for his daughter and granddaughter <...> He was temperate in drinking wine, very moderate in food, wore dandy clothes, had a great passion for bathing, so in the summer bathed four to five times a day, and in winter - twice. He had a very great need for sleep, so, having lunch with friends, he fell asleep in the dining room without hesitation. This was apparently not due to intoxication or incontinence, but because of natural need ^[22] . ”

On coins, Gordian I is depicted as an old man with delicate facial features ^[2] .

Board and suicide

In the last year of the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, Gordian was appointed to the post of proconsul of the province of Africa , whose duties he began in 237 at the age of eighty years ^[23] . Before his assumption of office, Alexander Sever was killed in Mogontziac in Lower Germany by his soldiers, and Maximin Frakietz ascended the throne ^[24] .

Maximin was not a popular emperor, and his despotic rule, causing widespread discontent, resulted in an uprising in Africa in 238 ^[5] . The cost of maintaining the protracted war on the Danube border forced Maximin to levy an ever-increasing tax on the Roman aristocracy. Prosecutors felt this pressure and, in order to send as much money as possible to the emperor, were ready to take any measures, such as imposing heavy fines and confiscating property ^[4] . This was also the case in Africa. The local prosecutor did not shun any means, collecting taxes, because he wanted to distinguish himself before Maximin ^[25] . Outraged by his brutal measures, young people from the local nobility, whom the prosecutor imposed fines, promised to give him the money, but after three days. Gathering a detachment of slaves, they took by surprise and killed the procurator in Tisdra ^[26] . However, then they realized, seeing the discord between the supporters of Maximin and the locals, that it was necessary to raise an uprising in the entire province and find a new emperor ^[2] .

Near Tisdra, the decurion of Mauritius proposed the proclamation of Gordian as emperor ^[27] . Then the rebels went to the proconsul’s house in Tisdra and burst into there, crushing the guards. They found Gordian resting in their bed. The rebels, encircling him, threw a purple cloak on him and began to call Augustus . At first, Gordian refused, but soon lost, accepting the nickname of the African ^[28] . His son received the same honors. The uprising began in late winter or early spring of 238 ^[4] . Sometimes a specific date for the beginning of the reign of Gordian is called: March 19 ^[2] .

A few days later, Gordian entered the capital of the province of Carthage , where he was enthusiastically welcomed by both city dwellers and the troops stationed there ^[4] . Then, an embassy was sent to Rome to the Senate, led by the future emperor Publius Licinius Valerian ^[29] . On April 2, 238, the Senate recognized all the titles of Gordian, deified the late Alexander Sever, and declared Maximin an enemy of the people ^[30] . In addition, the praetorian prefect Vitalian was killed, a fierce supporter of Maximin ^[4] . The following story has been preserved about this. A forged letter was written on behalf of Maximin. The quaestor , who was instructed to take the letter, had to inform the prefect of some more information. When they went to a distant portico, Vitalian asked what they wanted to tell him. The investor, however, suggested first checking the seal. At this time, the prefect was also killed ^[31] . Killed and many other supporters of Maximinus, including the prefect of Rome Sabin. By order of the Senate, a committee of twenty consuls was formed, who was entrusted with the territory of Italy to protect against the alleged attack of Maximin ^[2] . All provincial governors, except for Pannonian, Dacian and Spanish, swore allegiance to the Gordians ^[2] .

However, the triumph of father and son did not last long. Capellian, governor of the neighboring province of Numidia , a loyal supporter of Maximinus, who held a grudge against Gordian because of one court dispute, invaded the province of Africa with the only legion ( III Augustov ) stationed in this region, and the Numidian-Moorish auxiliary units ^{[32] [ 33] [30]} . Gordian II, at the head of a few soldiers and an undisciplined militia, opposed Kappelian, but despite his numerical superiority, he lost the battle of Carthage and was killed ^[30] . Upon learning of this, Gordian I committed suicide by hanging on his belt ^[5] . According to another version, he hanged himself before the battle with Capellian, considering resistance to him pointless, and the Carthaginians hid his death ^[34] . The Gordians ruled for twenty or twenty-two days. ^{[35] [36]} Against this background, the inscription "Reliability of the emperors", minted on their coins, looks very ironic ^[2] . Upon entering Carthage, Capellian began to kill many noble citizens who took part in the uprising, and to expel the simple, allowing soldiers to burn fields and villages in order to receive their favor ^[37] .

Having taken the side of Gordian, the Senate was forced to continue the uprising against Maximinus of Thrace and appointed two emperors at once - Pupien and Balbin ^[33] . However, by the end of 238, Gordian III , the grandson of Gordian I, became emperor ^[38] . Both Gordian were deified by order of the Senate ^[39] . Gordian earned his reputation as a friendly character. He and his son were fond of literature and themselves created multi-volume works. But both of them were more intellectuals than clever statesmen or strong rulers.

Sources

1. Aurelius Victor. Gordian, Pupien and Balbin. // About Caesars .
2. Julius Capitoline. History of Augustus // Three Gordianov . - M .: Science, 1992.
3. Herodian. The history of imperial power after Mark // Book VII.

Literature

1. Grant, M. Roman Emperors. Gordian I. - 1998.
2. Southern, Pat. The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine. - London, New York: Routledge, 2001.
3. Potter, David Stone. The Roman Empire at Bay, AD 180-395. - Routledge, 2004.
4. Birley, Anthony. The Roman government of Britain. - Oxford University Press, 2005.
5. Meckler, Michael. Gordian I (238 AD) An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors (2001). Archived on September 15, 2013.
6. Canduci, Alexander. Triumph & Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Immortal Emperors. - 2010.

• Coins of Gordian I (English) . Date of treatment August 27, 2013.