11. Gordian I and Gordian II served as joint Emperors of Rome, ruling together as father and son, if only for 21 days
Gordian I and Gordian II were both Roman Emperor for a period of just three weeks in 238 CE, also known as the Year of the Six Emperors: a year of particular political turbulence in the history of the Roman Empire. A family of modest backgrounds, the elder Gordian gradually climbed the rungs of the Roman imperial hierarchy to the rank of Senator. Gordian I is also known to have served in the military, commanding the Legio IV Scythica in Syria and serving as Governor of Britain in 216. Garnering a reputation for avoiding political scheming and uncharacteristic honesty in Roman political life, Gordian I served as a Suffect Consulship – filling a vacant consulship for the remainder of the term – before being appointed the governorship of Africa Proconsularis in 237. However, just prior to formally assuming his appointment Maximinus Thrax murdered Emperor Severus Alexander and assumed the imperial throne.
This violent usurpation, in addition to the new emperor’s efforts to induce heightened taxation in Africa, resulted in a mass uprising and a popular demand that Gordian replace Maximinus. Although protesting that at 79, he was far too old to become emperor. After insisting his son, Gordian II, be appointed as joint-emperor alongside him, Gordian I relented and assumed the title of Gordian Africanus Augustus on March 22, 238. Initially beginning his reign smoothly from the city of Carthage, the Senate confirmed his position on April 2, and Maximinus’ march on Rome faltered. Eventually, besieged in the city of Aquileia, Maximinus’ soldiers revolted, assassinating the deposed emperor and carrying his head to Rome in tribute. However, despite the support of many provinces, Numidia continued to oppose the Gordian joint-enterprise. Governed by a supporter of Maximinus, Capelianus, Numidia invaded Africa Proconsularis with the only Roman legion stationed in the region: Augusta III. Rallying an army of untrained militia, Gordian II fought, lost, and died in the Battle of Carthage on April 12, 238. In response to the death of his son, after only 21 days as emperor Gordian I committed suicide by hanging himself with a belt.