Gordian I and II

Gordian I and Gordian II: usurpers, who unsuccessfully tried to overthrow the emperor Maximinus Thrax (January 238).

Main deeds: Both men revolted against Maximinus Thrax but were defeated by Capellianus. Their revolt was successfully continued by Pupienus and Balbinus, who adopted Gordianus III.

Gordian I

Names

±158: Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus
1 (?) January 238: Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus Augustus
20 (?) January 238: suicide

Relatives

father: Maecius Marullus (?)
mother: Ulpia Gordiana (?)
married to: Fabia Orestilla (?)
children: Gordianus I, Maecia Faustina (married to Junius Balbus, mother of Gordianus III)

Career

±158 Born
Quaestor
Aedile
Praetor
216 Propraetor of Britannia Inferior
c.220 Proconsul of Achaea
c.221 Consul
after 222 Propraetor of Syria
c.230 Starts construction of the theater of Thysdrus
237 Proconsul of Africa
January 238: proclaimed emperor; sends Valerian to Rome as envoy
His son is defeated by III Augusta; commits suicide

Gordian II

Names:

Gordian II

c.192: Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus
1 (?) January 238: Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus Augustus
20 (?) January 238: killed in action

Relatives:

father: Gordianus I
mother: Fabia Orestilla (?)

Career:

Quaestor during the reign of Heliogabalus
Praetor during the reign of Severus Alexander
Consul during the reign of Severus Alexander
237 Deputy of his father