Gordiānus in Harpers Dictionary
Marcus Antonīnus Africānus. A Roman, born during the reign
of the first Antonine, of one of the most illustrious and
wealthy families of Rome, and who made himself very popular
during his quaestorship by his munificence, and the large
sums which he spent in providing games and other amusements
for the people. He also cultivated literature, and wrote
several poems, among others one in which he celebrated the
virtues of the two Antonines. Being intrusted with the
government of several provinces, he conducted himself in
such a manner as to gain universal approbation. He was
proconsul of Africa in A.D. 237. When an insurrection broke
out in that province against Maximinus, on account of his
exactions, and the insurgents saluted Gordianus as emperor,
he prayed earnestly to be excused, on account of his age,
being then past eighty, and to be allowed to die in peace;
but, the insurgents threatening to kill him if he refused,
he accepted the perilous dignity, naming his son Gordianus
as his colleague, and both made their solemn entry into
Carthage amid universal applause. The Senate cheerfully
confirmed the election, proclaiming the two Gordiani as
emperors, and declaring Maximinus and his son to be the
enemies of their country. Meantime, however, Capellianus,
governor of Mauritania, collected troops in favour of
Maximinus, and marched against Carthage. The younger
Gordianus came out to oppose him, but was defeated and
killed, and his aged father, on learning the sad tidings,
strangled himself. Their reign had not lasted two months
altogether, yet they were greatly regretted, on account of
their personal qualities.
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