Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 28 – Life 30
Gordian the Father.
GORDIAN the elder was son of Metius Marullus and Vlpia Gordiana, deriving his pedigree by the Fathers side from the Gracchi, and by the Mothers from Trajan the Emperor. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 2.
His Father, Grand-father, and great Grand-father were Consuls; as also were his Father-in-law, with his Grand-father on both sides, and both her great Grand-fathers. Id. ibid.
He was made Pro-consul of Africk at the age of fourscore, having been Ruler of many other Provinces, and well exercised in State-affairs. Herodian lib. 7. cap. 5.
The Africans so loved him, that some compared him to Scipio, De Gordiani dignitatibus, laudibusque per gradus honorum & gloriae partis, ut & de delato imperio prolixè Capitolinus in Gordiano a c. 3. usque ad 9. Boeclerus in Herodianum, p. 452.others to Cato; many called him Mutius Scaevola, Rutilius, & C. Laelius. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 5.
Moribus ita moderatus ut nihil possis dicere quod ille aut cupidè, aut immodestè, aut nimiè fecerit. Id. ib. c. 6.
Populo Rom. ita commendatus suis actibus erat ut toto dignus videretur imperio. Id. Ibid. c. 9.
The young Gentlemen of Tysdrum exasperated by the tyranny of Maximinus his favourite (Governor of Carthage) slew him; and proclaimed Gordian Emperor, whom they thought the Romans would like, because he was nobly descended: He though somewhat coy, yet being naturally desirous of honour, accepted their offer with a little reluctance: chusing rather to avoid the present, than future peril; holding it not inglorious to die in his old age (if need were) in Imperial robes. Hereupon all Africk revolted, and many Cities pulling down Maximines Images, erected Gordians Statues; whom they surnamed African: (for so the Southern Libyans are called by the Romans.) Herodian, l. 7. c. 5.
He banished all Informers, and suffered those that were unjustly condemned to reverse the judgment by pleading. Id. ib. c. 6.
He recalled all exiles, and promised to give the Soldiers more than ever Emperor did, and to reward the Commons with an extraordinary Congiary. Id. Ib.
Vitalian, the Pretorian Prefect at Rome, a bloudy instrument of Maximinus's, was killed by Gordian's appointment.
Those who obeyed his order therein, gave out that Maximine was slain; at the hearing whereof, the Romans defaced the Images and Statues of Maximinus: hatred (which till then was over-awed by fear) pouring out it self, without stop, through the Floud-gates of licentiousness. The Senate also conjecturing that it was so, decreed that all Maximine's honours should be abolished: and declared Gordian and his Son Emperors. Idem ubi supra, & c. 7.
The Senate at last understood their danger, better than their relief, Maximine his affairs prospering at Carthage unexpectedly. Capellianus an enemy to Gordian, and true to Maximine, defeated Gordian his Son (who was sent against him) with all his followers. So great was the number that fell, that the principal persons could not be found to receive funeral honour, nor the dead body of the young Prince. Idem ubi supra, &c. 9. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 16.
Gordian the Father hearing of this, through despair strangled himself. Capitolinus, ubi supra.
Sanè etsi uter perierit prior non planè constat, ambos tamen in Afr…ca mortem obiisse, non est dubium. Zosimus tamen ex aliis scriptoribus tradit naufragio utrumque periisse, cum ex Africa in Italiam trajicerent. Casaubonus.
Gordian the elder lived 80 years, and yet died of a violent death, when he was scarce warm in his Empire; A man of an high spirit, and renowned, learned, and a Poet; and constantly happy throughout the whole course of his life, save only that he ended his daies by a violent death. Sir Francis Bacon.
Eo solum Imperator, ne sua morte decederet. Bussieres in Flosculis Historiarum.
Gordian the Son had 22 Concubines, by each of which he left 3 or 4 children; being therefore called the Priamus, and by many in merriment The Priapus of his time. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 19.
Quidam Sammonicus Serenus LX. & duo millia librorum censuit in sua Bibliotheca; quam moriens reliquit Gordiano minori, a degustato imperio obscuro, ab ista literatorum ore ad coelum lato. Lansius in Mantissa consultationum de primatu inter provincias Europae, p. 76.
Concerning the time of their reign, and Capitolinus his error therein, See Petavius's Rationarium Temporum, the 2. part and 4. book, p. 200.
Sanè, quod pretermittendum esse non censui, quia mirabile visum est, This is questioned by Tristan in his Historical Commentaries, tom. 2.lectum apud Vulcatium Terentianum, qui & ipse historiam sui temporis scripsit, in literas misi; Gordianum seniorem Augusti vultum sic representasse, ut & vocem, & oris honorem, & staturam ejus oftentare videretur: filium vero, Pompeio simillimum visum, quamvis Pompeius obesi corporis fuisse denegatur. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 21.
Pupienus and Balbinus Collegues.
Maximus idem est, qui Pupienus. Quod ignorasse Capitolinum Maximini junioris fine, plerique mirantur. Boeclerus in Herodianum, p. 454.UPon the death of the 2 Gordians the Senate chose Pupienus and Balbinus Emperors in opposition to Maximinus. In the mean time the Commons decryed the election, but especially rejected Pupienus, as too austere; and cryed out that they would presently kill them both, and have a Prince of Gordian's lineage,Tristis ac severus Pupi…ni vul…us fuit, quod & nummi …i…ui test…ntur quos vid…us. Casau…n. that the Empire might con…inue in that name. Balbinus and Pupienus assaying to go forth of the Capitol, were kept in with clubs and stones, till they deluded the people by this invention.
There was in the City a little boy, Son to Gordian's daughter, and of his Grandfathers name; whom they sent for thither. They who were sent for him, finding him playing at home, lifted him on their shoulders, and so carried him through the crowd, telling the people he was G…rdian's Nephew, and of his name; the people shouting for joy, and casting leaves upon him. When the Senate had proclaimed him Caesar (his minority not permitting him to manage the state) and the people were calmed, the elected Emperors were suffered to pass to the Palace. Her…dian. l. 7. c. 10.
Balbinus was both noble and ancient,Ridiculè Orosius, l. 7. fratres fuisse scribit, cum alter nobilis, ignobilis alter fuerit, Capitolino auctore. Schottus in Aur. Victorem. Pupienus was ignobly descended, but had born many offices, which having discharged with wisdom and valour, he was highly prized by the Senate.
Nonnulli ita hos comparandos putant, ut alterum severum, clementem alterum; bonum illum, istum constantem; illum nihil largientem, hunc affluentem copiis omnibus dicerent. Capitolinus in Maximo & Balbino, cap. 7.
Timebant severitatem Maximi homines vulgares, quam & Senatui acceptissimam & sibi adversissimam esse credebant. Capitolinus in Maximo & Balbino, ex correctione Salmasii, p. 271.
These Emperors were not joined in affection, as in authority; each holding himself most deserving: each having their own, and standing upon their own guard.
The election of these Emperors by the Senate displeased the Soldiers so much, that at last they assaulted the Court, and easily *Maximini imperio duo GORDIANI, pater & filius principatum arripientes, unus post unum interiere. Pari etiam tonore PUPIENUS & BALBINUS regnum invadentes, peremti sunt.slew these Senatorian Emperors, (as they called them) being at variance; crying out to the people, that they had but slain them, whom themselves first rejected.
This wretched and disastrous end had these venerable and renowned Personages, whom their noble lineage and illustrious merits mounted to the highest Throne of human glory. Herodian, l. 8. c. ult.
Zosimus saith that Balbinus and Pupienus would have killed young Gordian, Victoris Epit.because he was more beloved of the Soldiers, by whom he was made Caesar; who hearing of their design, prevented them: but Boeclerus on Herodian, p. 457. thinketh he is mistaken, or that this was but pretended.
Confundit, ut arbitror Historiam Philippi cum hac narratione: nisi fors milites ad excusandum parricidium tale quid in vulgus sparserunt.
Antonius Gordianus.
UPon the death of Balbinus and Pupienus, Amatus est à populo, & Senatu & militibus ante Philippi factionem, ita ut nemo Principum. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 31.Gordian the third, before created Caesar by the Senate through the importunity of the Soldiers, was made Emperor by a general consent in the 13. year of his age.
Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 21. saith he resembled Scipio Asiaticus.
He married Tranquillina daughter of Misitheus, whom he loved and honoured for his learning; by whose advice he transacted state affairs prosperously, expelling Sapor King of Persia from Syria, recovering Antioch, Nisibis, and Carrae by his assistance: for which success the Senate appointed a triumph for Gordian, and a triumphal Chariot for Misitheus with this inscription: Misitheo parenti Principum Pop. Rom. Tutori Reip. S. P. Q. R. The Inscription is singular, and the quality of the Prince's Father nothing common, at that time when the seat of the Empire had not yet been transferred from Rome to Constantinople: For after that, this quality was conferred as a Title of Office; and vulgarly, those who had the principal direction of affairs, were called the Fathers of the Empire, and of the Emperor. Balsac's Aristippus, p. 15.
Misitheus was soon missed for counsel and trust, being poisoned by Philip an Arabian of ignoble parentage, who was made Prefect in his stead, and aspired to the Empire.
Philip secretly caused a scarcity of victuals in the Army, which he did, that the Soldiers might imagine it to be occasioned by Gordian's neglect, whom he charged with inability to govern, being so young.
The Officers were corrupted by Philip, and the Soldiers through ignorance of his deceipt, made him Gordian's Governor, whereupon he grew so insolent, that he commanded all, as if he had been sole Emperor.
Gordian disce…ning his aim, complaineth openly to the Soldiers of the wrong which was done to him by Philip, notwithstanding all obligations to the contrary; but Philip's project prevailing, Gordian since he could not share in the Empire, sued to be a Captain, which was denyed him: Philip not thinking himself safe (whilest Gordian of great blood and esteem was alive) slew him in the *Victor in his Epit. saith the 20th.22. year of his age, and 6. of his reign; as if Justice her self appeared evidently to take vengeance on the Traitors, each of his Murtherers with the same Poinyard wherewith they slew him,Indicium non diu imperaturi Gordiani hoc fuit, quod eclipsis solis facta est, ut nex crederetur, neque sine luminibus accensis quicquam agi posset. Capitolinus in tribus Gordianis, c. 23. killed himself.
The Soldiers that buried him near Persia, wrote his title of honour upon his Sepulchre in Greek and Latine, in the Persian, Iewish and Egyptian tongues, that it might be read of all, as Capitolinus writeth in Gordianis.
His body being interred in the confines of the Roman and Persian Empire, gave name to a place, which was for that cause called The Sepulchre of Gordian. Sextus Aurelius Victor in his Epitome.
Five Languages secured not the Epitaph of Gordian, saith Dr. Brown in his Urn-burial, p. 81.
Gordian's Motto was, Miser est imperator apud quem vera reticent…r; which was his own case.
Inventas tandem est orbis moderator & orbis,
Insignis patria nobilitate puer.
Boissardus.