On This Day

Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed co-emperors by the Roman Senate

Gordian III (Latin: Marcus Antonius Gordianus; 20 January 225 – 11 February 244) was Roman emperor from 238 to 244.

Gordian III (Latin: Marcus Antonius Gordianus; 20 January 225 – 11 February 244) was Roman emperor from 238 to 244. At the age of 13, he became the second-youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire. Gordian was the son of Maecia Faustina and her husband Junius Balbus, who died before 238. Their names are mentioned in the unreliable Historia Augusta. Maecia was the daughter of Emperor Gordian I and sister of Emperor Gordian II. Very little is known of his early life before his acclamation.

Historical Significance

Gordian III (Latin: Marcus Antonius Gordianus; 20 January 225 – 11 February 244) was Roman emperor from 238 to 244.

Events Before

  1. Pope Pontian becomes the first pope to abdicate from the role for St. Anterus

    Pope Pontian becomes the first pope to abdicate from the role for St. Anterus

  2. St. Pontianus ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Pope Pontian (Latin: Pontianus; died October 235) was the bishop of Rome from 21 July 230 to 28 September 235.

  3. St Anterus begins his reign as Catholic Pope, will only rule for 40 days

    St Anterus begins his reign as Catholic Pope, will only rule for 40 days

  4. Reign of St Anterus as Catholic Pope ends with his death after only 40 days

    Reign of St Anterus as Catholic Pope ends with his death after only 40 days

  5. Fabian begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    The pope is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff.

Events After

  1. BC First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

    Halley's Comet is the only known short-period comet that is consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing every 72–80 years, though with the majority of recorded apparitions (25 of 30)…

  2. BC Battle of the Aegates Islands: Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet, ending the First Punic War

    BC Battle of the Aegates Islands: Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet, ending the First Punic War

More from the 230s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 22, 238?
Gordian III (Latin: Marcus Antonius Gordianus; 20 January 225 – 11 February 244) was Roman emperor from 238 to 244. At the age of 13, he became the second-youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire. Gordian was the son of Maecia Faustina and her husband Junius Balbus, who died before 238.
Why is Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed co-emperors by the Roman Senate significant?
Gordian III (Latin: Marcus Antonius Gordianus; 20 January 225 – 11 February 244) was Roman emperor from 238 to 244.

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