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Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus Augustus
"20 Days of Glory" During the reign of Severus and Maximinus Thrax, Gordian served as governor of Proconsular Africa. He was proclaimed emperor by the aristocracy of the province, which had rebelled against Maximinus. Through the efforts of Senator P. Licinius Valerianus (later emperor), he secured the support of the Roman Senate. However, his reign lasted only 20 days. The governor of Numidia, Capelianus, loyal to Maximinus, led a force of one legion (Legio III Augusta) to attack Carthage, which served as the temporary capital of the emperor. The city’s defenders, consisting of armed citizens and a local militia, were defeated.
After the loss, Gordian committed suicide, while his son and co-emperor, Gordian II, was killed in the battle.
Denomination: Sestertius, Æ
Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian I to right, seen from behind, IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG
Reverse: Gordian I, togate, standing front, head to left, holding olive branch in his right hand and parazonium in his left, P M TR P COS P P, S - C
Mint: Rome, 238 A.D.
Weight: 21,93 g
Diameter: 31mm
Provenance: Kölner Münzkabinett, ex Dr. Victor Wishnevsky Collection
Reference : 31.1 RIC IV 1, RSC 1
Collection : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 05 - Military Anarchy p.1