Battle of Carthage (238)
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| Battle of Carthage | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Portrait of Gordian II on a denarius. | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Numidian forces loyal to Maximinus Thrax | Forces of Gordian I and Gordian II | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Capelianus | Gordian II † | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| one legion other veteran units | larger army of untrained militia | ||||||
The Battle of Carthage was fought in 238 AD between a Roman army loyal to Emperor Maximinus Thrax and the forces of Emperors Gordian I and Gordian II.
Background[edit]
Gordian I and II were father and son, both supported by the Roman Senate and based in Africa Province. The battle was part of a rebellion against Emperor Maximinus Thrax started by landowners who felt they had been overly and unfairly taxed. These landowners assassinated the procurator in Thysdrus and called on Gordian I and his son Gordian II to be their emperors.[2]
Capelianus was the governor of Numidia who had a previous grudge against Gordian I according to Herodian. Herodian says this grudge was developed after a lawsuit involving the two. Soon after being elected emperor, Gordian I sent a replacement to Numidia to replace his old enemy Capelianus. This action would eventually lead to his untimely demise.[3]
The battle[edit]
Gordian I marched from Thysdrus to Carthage, where news of the rebellion was welcomed.[4] Capelianus led the only legion in Africa, Legio III Augusta, in battle against the two emperors.[5]
The two armies met near Carthage. Gordian II personally led his army, consisting of militiamen without military training: he was defeated and killed. Upon learning of his son's death, Gordian I committed suicide.[4]
Lasting effects[edit]
With the death of the two Gordians the Roman senate elected two new emperors that were not popular with the public. The senate then decided to turn to the 13-year-old Gordian III to become the new Caesar.[3][4]
References[edit]
- ^ The exact chronology of events is unknown. See: Rea, J. (1972). "O. Leid. 144 and the Chronology of A.D. 238". ZPE 9, 1-19.
- ^ Townsend, Prescott (1955). The revolution of A.D. 238: the leaders and their aims. Yale Classical Studies. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
- ^ a b Wasson, Donald. "Gordian Emperors". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Meckler, Michael A. (26 June 2001). "Gordian I (238 A.D.)". Die Imperatoribus Romanis. Salve Regina University. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ Brent, Allen (2010). Cyprian and Roman Carthage. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 118. ISBN 9780521515474.