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Gordian I
Emperor of the Roman Empire
Reign	22 March - 12 April 238 (with Gordian II, and in competition with Maximinus Thrax)
Full name	Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus
Born	c. 159
	posibly Phrygia
Died	12 April 238
	Carthage
Predecessor	Pupienus and Balbinus
Successor	Gordian II
Issue	Gordian II, Antonia Gordiana
Dynasty	Gordiani
Father	Equites

Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus (c. 159 – April 12, 238), known in English as Gordian I, was Roman Emperor during the year 238.

Little is known on the early life and family background of Gordian. There is no reliable evidence on his family origins. His family were of Equestrian (Roman) rank, who were modest and very wealthy. Gordian was said to be related to prominent senators. His praenomen and nomen Marcus Antonius suggests that his paternal ancestors received Roman citizenship under the Triumvir Mark Antony, during the late Roman Republic. Gordian’s cognomen ‘Gordianus’ suggests that his family origins were from Anatolia, especially Galatia and Cappadocia.

According to the Augustan History, his mother was a Roman woman called Ulpia Gordiana and his father Roman Senator Maecius Marullus. Modern historians have dismissed his father's name as false. Maybe there is some truth behind the identity of his mother. We can guess Gordian's family history only through inscriptions. The name Sempronianus in his name may indicate a connection to his mother or grandmother. In Ankara Turkey, a funeral inscription has been found that names a Sempronia Romana, daughter of a named Sempronius Aquila (an imperial secretary). Romana erected this undated funeral inscription to her husband (whose name is lost) who died as a praetor-designate. Gordian may be related to gens Sempronius.

Also according to the Augustan History, his wife was a Roman woman called Fabia Orestilla, whom the Augustan History claims was a descendant of Roman Emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. Modern historians have dismissed this name and her information as false, as they believe his wife was the granddaughter of Greek Sophist, consul and tutor Herodes Atticus. With his wife, Gordian had at least two children: a son of the same name (Gordian II) and a daughter, Antonia Gordiana (who was the mother of the future Emperor Gordian III). His wife died before 238.

Gordian I on a coin,
bearing the title AFR, Africanus

Gordian climbed the hierarchy until he entered the Roman Senate. His political career started relatively late in his life and probably his early years were spent in rhetoric and literary studies. As a military man, Gordian commanded the Legio IIII Scythica when the legion was stationed in Syria. He served as governor of Roman Britain in 216 and was a suffect consul in the reign of Elagabalus. Inscriptions in Roman Britain bearing his name were partially erased suggesting some form of imperial displeasure during this role.

While he gained unbounded popularity by the magnificent games and shows he produced as aedile, his prudent and retired life did not excite the suspicion of Caracalla, in whose honour he wrote a long epic poem called Antoninias. Gordian certainly retained his wealth and political clout during the chaotic times of the Severan dynasty, which suggest his personal dislike for intrigue.

During the reign of Alexander Severus, Gordian (who was by then in his late seventies) threw the lots to the dangerous honours of government in Africa. In the middle of his promagistrate, Maximinus Thrax killed emperor Alexander Severus in Germania Inferior and assumed the throne.

Maximinus was not a popular emperor and universal discontent roused by his oppressive rule culminated in a revolt in Africa in 238. Gordian yielded to the popular clamour and assumed both the purple and the cognomen Africanus on March 22. In respect to his advanced age, he insisted that his son, Marcus Antonius Gordianus (Gordian II), be associated with him. A few days later, Gordian entered the city of Carthage with the overwhelming support of the population and local political leaders. Meanwhile in Rome, Maximinus' praetorian prefect was assassinated and the rebellion seemed to be successful. The senate confirmed the new emperor and most of the provinces gladly sided with Gordian.

Opposition would come from the neighbouring province of Numidia. Capelianus, governor of Numidia and a loyal supporter of Maximinus Thrax, renewed his alliance to the former emperor and invaded Africa province with the only legion stationed in the region III Augusta, and other veteran units. Gordian II, at the head of a militia army of untrained soldiers, lost the Battle of Carthage and was killed, and Gordian took his own life by hanging himself with his belt. The Gordians had reigned only thirty-six days.

Gordian had deserved his high reputation by his amiable character. Both himself and his son are men reported to be fond of literature and achieved great accomplishments, publishing voluminous works. But they were rather intellectual voluptuaries than able statesmen or powerful rulers. Having embraced the cause of Gordian, the senate was obliged to continue the revolt against Maximinus, and appointed Pupienus and Balbinus, as joint emperors. Nevertheless, by the end of 238, the recognised emperor would be Gordian III, his grandson. Gordian and his son were deified by the senate.

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
• http://www.roman-empire.net/decline/gordian-I.html
• http://www.roman-emperors.org/gordo1.htm
• http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Historia_Augusta/Gordiani_tres*.html

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Gordianus I

• Lives of the Gordians (Historia Augusta at LacusCurtius: Latin text and English translation)