GOR'DIA'NUS. The name of three Roman emperors, father, son, and grandson. The first, Arrromus GoarnAxtis, surnamed eAts'us (c.158-238 A.D.), was descended on the ther's side from the famous family of the Gracchi. He was remarkable for his attachment to literary pursuits. After being a'dile, in which capacity he celebrated the gladiatorial sports with great nificence. he twice filled the office of consul, first as the colleague of Caracalla. in a.n. 213, and ond as the colleague of Alexander Seven's. Soon afterwards he was appointed proconsul of Africa, where he gained the affections and esteem of the people, and his old age was spent in study. The tyranny and injustice of the Emperor Maximinus having at length excited a rebellion against his au thority in Africa, the Imperial procurator there was murdered by a band of nobles who had formed a conspiracy against him on account of his cruelty. Gordianus, now in his eightieth year, was proclaimed Emperor, after having vainly re fused the dangerous honor (March 16, A.D. 238). He received the title of Africanus, and his son was conjoined with him in the exercise of im perial authority. The Roman Senate acknowl edged both, and proclaimed Maximinus, then ab sent in Pannonia, an enemy to his country. The younger Gordianus, however, was defeated and slain in battle by Capellianus, Governor of Numidia, before Carthage, and his father,.
in an agony of grief, put an end to his own existence, having been Emperor for little more than a month (April 16th). In his personal appearance Gordianus is said to have greatly resembled Augustus.—MARcus ANT°. NIUS GORDIANUS (192-238), commonly called GORDIANUS Pius, Emperor A.D. 238-244, grandson of the preceding, was raised to the dignity of Caesar along with Pupienus Maximus and Balbi nus, who were also proclaimed emperors in oppo sition to Maximinus; and in the same year. after all three had fallen by the hands of their own soldiers, Gordianus was elevated by the praetorian guards to the rank of Augustus. Assisted by his father-in-law, Misitheus, a man distinguished for his wisdom, virtue, and courage, whom he made prefect of the praetorians. he marched, in the year 242, into Asia, against the Persians, who, under Shahpur (Sapor), had taken possession of Meso potamia, and had advanced into Syria. Antioch, which was thfeatened by them, was relieved by Gordianus, the Persians were obliged to with draw from Syria. beyond the Euphrates. and Gor dianus was just about to march into their coun try when Misitheus died. Philip the Arabian, who succeeded Misitheus. stirred up dissatisfac tion in the army against Gordianus by treachery, and finally goaded on the soldiery to assassinate the Emperor, A D. 2-14. •